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Since the earliest experiences with hemodialysis, the correction of uremic acidosis has represented a complex problem still not completely resolved [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solute removal in peritoneal dialysis is achieved both by diffusion and convection. The first mechanism takes place because of the concentration gradient between the blood of the peritoneal capillary and the peritoneal dialysis solution infused in the abdomen. The solution infused in the peritoneal cavity tends to equilibrate with plasma water over time and it is removed at the end of one exchange after partial or complete equilibration. The composition of the dialysis solution permits to remove, balance or even infuse solutes from and into the patient. The electrochemical concentration gradient is the driving force that allows such a passive diffusion (1, 2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]