Search

Retrospective studies of CAPD show a 50% patient survival at 5 years. There are actually three long term technique limits: UF failure: The diagnosis is made clinically and by peritoneal permeability tests. The use of new osmotic agents should improve this problem. Inadequate dialysis seems more related to the low dialysate flow rather than to the peritoneal membrane. The increase of dialysate volumes or the switch to Automated PD leads to better clearances. The peritoneal membrane lesions are generated by the use of an aggressive dialysate. In order to protect the membrane, new biocompatible solutions are under evaluation.

In a retrospective study, the authors analyse the dialysis-technique success rate in 276 chronic renal patients. 137 patients have been treated with in-center Hemodialysis (CHD) since 1972, 139 patients with Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) since 1978. The 6-year technic success rate reaches 28% in CAPD and 31% in CHD (not statistically significant). The risk factors influence the technic-success rate of both methods in the same way. The results suggest that in the analysed patients CAPD is at least as effective as CHD at maintenance in the technic.

The authors report their experience on treating two patients, suffering end-stage renal disease, by daily hemodialysis of ultra-short duration with a non-traumatic vascular access. 90 minutes dialysis are realized 6 days a week. Clinical tolerance is excellent and patients' adhesion is satisfactory. However, despite reutilization of the dialyzer, the method remains costly.

The authors report the result obtained with CAPD in 20 chronic renal patients treated during 4.6 years in average. The dialysis possibilities have maintained at middle term. Nevertheless, the awaited advantages concerning anemia, calcium and phosphorus disorders, neuropathy, are transient and incomplete. The water and sodium intakes need strongly to be controlled in order to achieve normal blood pressure. Finally the use of "Y" disconnect systems dramatically reduces the peritonitis rate.

During CAPD, the peritoneal cavity is submitted to situations such as the accidental bacterial contaminations and the continuous presence of dialysate, which stimulate immunological factors. The antibacterial defenses include opsonins and cells. Only IgG and fibronectin are present in the peritoneal effluent but they are diluted by the dialysate. Macrophages represent 70 to 80% of the peritoneal cells. Beside good phagocytic capacity, some may have a defective bactericidal activity. The continuous presence of dialysate leads to a chronic local inflammation. Macrophages and lymphocytes will synthesize IL-1, PGE2 and IFN-Y. These substances generate movement, attachment and proliferation of fibroblasts in the peritoneal submesothelial tissue, resulting in progressive fibrosis. This fibrosis, generally asymptomatic, may be responsible for loss of Ultrafiltration (UF) and Sclerosing Encapsulating Peritonitis (SEP).