Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

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. Peritonitus 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.