Central and peripheral haemodynamics in longterm peritoneal dialysis patients

A study was undertaken in 11 longterm peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients to evaluate the acute haemodynamic effects of PD. After filling the abdomen with 1, 2 and 3L of dialysate, intra-abdominal pressure and inferior vena cava pressure increased up to 140 and 98% respectively, whereas central haemodynamic parameters were unchanged. Venous capacity decreased by 18%. Mean weight loss during PD was 1.6kg. The most striking post-PD changes were a significant 19% decrease of cardiac index and 18% decrease of pulmonary artery pressure. Heart rate and arterial pressure remained constant due to a 24% increase in total peripheral resistance.