Ultrafiltration efficiency during automated peritoneal dialysis using glucose-based solutions

The ultrafiltration (UF) efficiency of peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions, defined as the net UF divided by the amount of carbohydrate absorbed per dwell, has been shown to be higher during long dwells with 7.5% icodextrin solution (Extraneal: Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Deerfield, IL, U.S.A.) than during those with glucose-based solution (2.5% and 4.25% Dianeal: Baxter Healthcare Corporation), prompting a better understanding of UF efficiency. We used the three-pore kinetic model of PD transport to investigate UF efficiency for single long dwells and various combinations of multiple short glucose-based dwells during automated PD (APD). To demonstrate a practical consequence of the effect of dwell time, we simulated two hypothetical APD prescriptions (A and B) in which fluid with a high glucose concentration was used during either the long day dwell (A: 4.25%; B: 2.5%) or the short night dwells (A: 3 x 1.5% + 1 x 2.5%; B: 4 x 2.5%). Computer simulations showed that higher glucose concentrations and shorter dwell times increase the UF efficiency of a single dwell, and UF efficiency depends on patient transport status. When 24-hour APD therapy was simulated for a low-average transporter, the net UF did not differ considerably (A: 1132 mL; B: 1154 mL), but total carbohydrate absorption was higher when solution with a high glucose concentration was used during the single long dwell (A: 146 g; B: 137 g), resulting in lower UF efficiency (A: 7.8 mL/g; B: 8.4 mL/g). We conclude that the UF efficiency of the entire regimen should be considered in prescribing PD therapy. When available, Extraneal provides the best UF efficiency during long dwells. Our simulations suggest that raising the glucose concentration in the short dwells and lowering it in the long dwell is the optimal strategy to maximize UF efficiency during APD when Extraneal is not available.