CONTINUOUS AMBULATORY PERITONEAL-DIALYSIS - EXPERIENCE WITH 22 UNSELECTED PATIENTS WITH RENAL-FAILURE

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 54  (2) , 95-100
Abstract
The present study describes the experience with CAPD [continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis] in an unselected group of patients presenting with endstage renal failure. Twenty-three consecutive patients were offered CAPD, in-center and home hemodialysis. Twenty-two patients selected CAPD, including 14 patients more than 60 yr of age, 4 patients with diabetes and 1 with multiple myeloma. CAPD training was performed in an out of hospital office facility. One patient returned to hemodialysis following the development of resistant Pseudomonas peritonitis, 2 patients died of a myocardial infarction, and 1 patient died with a GI [gastrointestinal] bleeding. The other 18 patients are doing well. Assessment of 17 patients maintained on therapy for 4 mo. or more revealed that the patients are less depressed, less organic and have fewer physical symptoms than previously reported for a comparable group of patients maintained on hemolysis for a similar period of time. Apparently CAPD can be successfully employed, at least for the initial months of therapy, to treat the vast majority of patients with endstage renal disease. CAPD training and follow-up care can be provided in an out of hospital office facility.