Dry body weight: water and sodium removal targets in PD

Cardiovascular mortality is high in peritoneal dialysis patients. This may be due to the presence of hypertension and fluid overload. Dietary intake of water and sodium are likely to be important, especially in anuric patients.

A review of the literature on assessment of fluid status, and on peritoneal removal of water and sodium.

MF-BIA added to clinical judgement is helpful for the assessment of fluid status. Natriuretic hormones in patients without heart failure are promising, but their value in clinical practice has not been established yet. Peritoneal ultrafiltration and sodium removal in anuric peritoneal dialysis patients are associated with survival. APD patients have lower sodium removal than CAPD, icodextrin increases it. The value of routine use of low sodium dialysis solutions has not been established. Definite targets on fluid and sodium removal have not been established, but the maintenance of euvalemia, while reducing the exposure to 3.86% glucose solutions at the same time, is largely facilitated by dietary salt and water restrictions.

MF-BIA is a useful addition to clinical judgement of hydration status. The use of high dose loop diuretics facilitates water and salt removal in the presence of residual renal function. A dietary salt restriction of 4 g/day in anuric patients improves hypertension and is likely to reduce fluid intake.