New perspectives for PD in acute renal failure related to new catheter techniques and introduction of APD.
Acute renal failure remains a major problem in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) patients. Although in most handbooks peritoneal dialysis (PD) is still considered to be the first choice for children < 20 kg and there is some evidence that PD may preserve and/or favor recuperation of renal function, most PICU departments are using continuous veno-venous hemofiltration and dialysis or hemodialysis as treatment. The main reasons for this are workload for the PICU nurses, catheter problems, the risk of peritonitis, and limited ultrafiltration. In a retrospective study (1992-1995) in 46 patients (age 3 days to 14 years), automated PD (APD) was the initial treatment in 44 patients. Complications of the Seldinger-placed Cook (pleuropericard) catheter were limited: leakage (1/44); bleeding: n = 0; obstruction or dislocation: n = 4; peritonitis: n = 1 (Candida); ultrafiltration (UF) problems: n = 3. APD in children with acute renal function (ARF) is a good alternative for continuous veno-venous dialysis. Placement of a pigtail (Cook) catheter is a quick (10 min), safe procedure, with low leakage risk. This, together with the low manipulation rate, gives a low peritonitis rate. The use of the cycler makes frequent changes of small volumes possible, resulting in better clearance, good UF, no interference with hemodynamic or respiratory stability, and a reduced workload.
Vande Walle
J
J
University Hospital, Gent, Belgium.
Raes
A
A
Castillo
D
D
Lutz-Dettinger
N
N
Dejaegher
A
A
D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000628:therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D012189:Retrospective Studies