Peritoneal fluid eosinophilia in patients undergoing maintenance peritoneal dialysis.

In ten patients undergoing maintenance peritoneal dialysis, large numbers of eosinophils were found in the peritoneal fluid. A few of the affected patients complained of episodic abdominal pains, but there was no correlation between abdominal symptoms and the number of peritoneal fluid eosinophils. Microorganisms failed to grow on cultures of the peritoneal fluids, and results of tests for endotoxin were negative.

Hematologic studies during isolated ultrafiltration.

The effect of negative-pressure isolated ultrafiltration on leucocytes, platelets, and clotting factors was evaluated in maintenance hemodialysis patients. A significant decrease in the number of leucocytes was observed during the first 45 minutes of ultrafiltration. However, by one hour, leucocyte counts had returned to pre-ultrafiltration values.

Hemodialysis ascites in anephric patients.

Six maintenance hemodialysis patients are described in whom ascites was encountered at a time when they were anephric. No etiology for ascites could be found, and it was presumed that these patients were manifesting so-called "hemodialysis ascites". Our findings suggest that the use of bilateral nephrectomy in the treatment of hemodialysis ascites should be re-evaluated.

Treatment of refractory hemodialysis ascites with maintenance peritoneal dialysis.

In 5 patients who were receiving maintenance hemodialysis, ascites developed that was refractory to treatment by ultrafiltration during hemodialysis. Use of sequential isolated ultrafiltration and hemodialysis therapy either precipitated side effects or else required prolongation of total treatment time which the patients declined to accept. In 4 of the patients, ascites was believed to be primarily responsible for severe, progressive cachexia.

Haemodynamics of isolated versus dialytic ultrafiltration in the unanaesthetised, non-uraemic dog.

Ten alert, non-uraemic, splenectomised dogs were subjected to isolated ultrafiltration until mean arterial pressure decreased to less than 80mmHg. On a separate occasion, in the same dogs, ultrafiltration was performed in the course of haemodialysis. Whether or not dialysate was circulated, ultrafiltration resulted in marked increases in total peripheral vascular resistance, and large increases in plasma concentrations of vasoactive hormones, including norepinephrine.

Sclerotic thickening of the peritoneal membrane in maintenance peritoneal dialysis patients.

Five patients receiving maintenance peritoneal dialysis (duration, three months to four years) required surgical exploration of the abdomen for various reasons. Four had a prior history of bacterial peritonitis, and four of aseptic peritonitis. At laparotomy, the peritoneal membrane was found to be markedly thickened and sclerotic in all patients, and loops of bowel were bound together in a dense, opaque casing.

Hydrostatic ultrafiltration during hemodialysis using decreasing sodium dialysate.

Twelve patients underwent hemodialysis using dialysate containing 130 mEq/L sodium, and, on a separate occasion, dialysis using a dialysate of constantly decreasing sodium concentration (from 150 to 133 mEq/L). Hydrostatic ultra-filtration during dialysis was performed at a constant rate (900 ml/hr) during both treatments, and was continued until a substantial drop in mean arterial pressure (-15%) or symptoms were observed. A double-blind comparison of the two treatment modalities was thus achieved.

Amantadine hydrochloride pharmacokinetics in hemodialysis patients.

To study the fate of amantadine hydrochloride in patients with renal failure, we gave 100 mg orally to 12 such patients immediately after hemodialysis. Plasma levels did not decrease between 24 and 44 hours after drug ingestion, suggesting an extremely poor total body clearance. Apparent volume of distribution was 5.

Kinetics of peritoneal fluid absorption in patients with chronic renal failure.

Previous measurements of fluid absorption from the peritoneal cavity were made after a single injection of a protein-bound marker by following changes in the concentration of the marker with time. Absorption of the marker substance itself had to be estimated. The present study measured absorption of peritoneal fluid by more direct methods.

Treatment of uremic pericardial effusion by local steroid instillation via subxiphoid pericardiotomy.

Seven maintenance hemodialysis patients suffering from intractable uremic pericardial effusion were treated with instillation of a non-absorbable steroid, triamcinolone hexacetonide, into the pericardial sac via a large-bore catheter. The latter was placed under direct vision by subxiphoid pericardiotomy. All patients responded to the treatment while complications of the procedure were few and minor.