A model of ultrafiltration and glucose mass transfer kinetics in peritoneal dialysis

We have investigated the variation with dwell time of dialysate volume and glucose concentration during continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis using a one-pool model. No assumption was made regarding the ultrafiltration rate that was calculated by the model. Results show that the volume ultrafiltered during dwell time is an increasing function of peritoneal membrane hydraulic permeability and a decreasing function of glucose mass transfer coefficient (MTC). For large MTC and low initial glucose concentration there is reabsorption of dialysate into the blood at large dwell times. For a 6 h dwell time, glycerol (92 daltons) is a more effective osmotic agent than glucose (198 daltons) at the same weight concentration. These results are in quantitative agreement with published clinical studies.