[Peritoneal dialysis as an alternative in the treatment of patient with heart failure refractory to conventional therapy].

Peritoneal ultrafiltration and dialysis is a feasible therapy in selected patients with heart failure (HF). This method is effective in slow and continuous plasma volume reduction, maintenance of normonatraemia, the removal of cytokines and humoral factors involved in the development and progression of HF and middle-molecule clearance. We present a 26-year-old woman with HF refractory to conventional treatment. Peritoneal dialysis improved both the clinical status and the quality of life. Peritoneal dialysis is an invasive method of treatment therefore more studies are necessary to identify patients who would benefit from this form of therapy.