[Effect of peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis on respiratory function in patients with chronic renal failure]

Respiratory function was studied in 17 patients with chronic renal failure treated by peritoneal dialysis and in 18 patients treated by hemodialysis. During peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis we observed impaired respiratory function and changes in lung volumes. Decrease of the arterial oxygen tension during peritoneal dialysis may be due to the intraabdominal fluid volume, in patients treated by hemodialysis--to respiratory muscle weakness.