Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis

doi:10.1059/0003-4819-88-4-449

Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis

ROBERT P. POPOVICH, Ph.D.;
JACK W. MONCRIEF, M.D.;
KARL D. NOLPH, M.D., F.A.C.P.;
AHAD J. GHODS, M.D.;
ZBYLUT J. TWARDOWSKI, M.D.; and
W. K. PYLE

Austin, Texas; and Columbia, Missouri

Abstract

The technique of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis was evaluated in nine patients during 136 patient weeks. The major objectives were to see if continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis would provide [1] acceptable control of serum chemistries by usual criteria, [2] adequate removal of sodium and water, [3] tolerable protein losses, and [4] a low prevalence of peritonitis with episodes responsive to therapy with continuing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Preliminary findings suggest continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis represents an effective ambulatory, portable, internal dialysis technique. Larger-solute clearances per week may approach values six times greater than with most hemodialysis techniques. Small-solute clearances approach dialysate flow rate (8.3 ml/min) and are comparable to other dialysis techniques on a weekly basis. Edema is readily controlled and protein losses should be tolerable with adequate protein intake. Peritonitis occurs on the average every 10 weeks but responds to therapy promptly with continuing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. If the prevalence of peritonitis can be reduced, continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis appears to represent a very attractive dialysis technique.

Article and Author Information

▸From the Department of Chemical Engineering and the Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Texas; Department of Medicine, Austin Diagnostic Clinic; Austin, Texas; Department of Medicine, Harry S. Truman Veterans Administration Hospital; and the University of Missouri Medical Center; Columbia, Missouri.
Grant support: in part by the Artificial Kidney-Chronic Uremia Program, National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases (USPH-Nol-AM-6-2211); Missouri Clinical Research Center PHS Grant RR-00287-11; Missouri State Kidney Program, University of Missouri Nephrology Research Fund; and Austin Diagnostic Clinic Nephrology Research Fund.
▸Requests for reprints should be addressed to Karl D. Nolph, M.D., F.A.C.P.; Department of Medicine, University of Missouri Medical Center; Columbia, MO 65201.
- Received September 12, 1977.
- Accepted October 29, 1977.