In vitro simulations of peritoneal dialysis. A technique for demonstrating limitations on solute clearances due to stagnant fluid films and poor mixing.
Stagnant fluid films in the peritoneal interstitium and peritoneal cavity may explain low clearances during peritoneal dialysis. Various peritoneal dialysis techniques may influence clearances by enhancing mixing. However, such techniques also may change fresh fluid replacement rates and/or after peritoneal membrane transport characteristics secondary to mechanically, osmotically, or chemically induced changes in the peritoneium and its vasculature. Various techniques were evaluated in an in vitro simulation of peritoneal dialysis where membrane transport characteristics would not change and the impact of better mixing alone could be assessed. Only very vigorous agitation of fluid appears to influence stagnant fluid film resistances under the conditions of these studies. In actual peritoneal dialysis, fluid film resistances are probably even less likely to be influenced by existing techniques.
D001202:Ascitic Fluid; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014462:Ultrafiltration