Peritoneal dialysis in patients with congestive heart failure.

Background: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) may be a useful technique in the treatment of patients with congestive heart failure, both with and without primary end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Methods: In the treatment of patients with ESRD and congestive heart failure (CHF), PD has theoretical advantages compared with haemodialysis (HD), such as the absence of an arteriovenous fistula and the more gradual fluid removal. In cohort studies, the incidence of heart failure was less as compared with HD, however, randomized studies on this aspect are lacking.

Is there a competition between urine volume and peritoneal ultrafiltration in peritoneal dialysis patients?

Many peritoneal dialysis patients are overhydrated. Overhydration may lead to hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy, and may be related to inflammation and malnutrition. The presence of overhydration is not always detected by clinical examination.