[Prolonged survival with weekly peritoneal dialysis in chronic uremic patients]

We show our experience in 12 patients treated during a year with weekly intermittent dialysis whit a rigid catheter for 36 hours a week. Patients were on a diet of 50 g. of proteins a day, normocaloric without sodium or fluid restriction. They received supplementation whith iron, calcium, vitamins B, C and folic acid, anabolic hormonal and, in some cases, furosemide hypotensives and antibiotics. Patients received the procedure for a mean of 8 months. The results show the following mean values: blood pressure: 143 +/- 12/99 +/- 3 mm. Hg., plasma urea 208 +/- 62 ng./dl.; creatinine 21 +/- 2 mg./dl., hematocrit 25 mm. and 8.0 g. hemoglobin. There was light increase of glucose, K, P, Mg, alkaline phosphatase. Na, CO2, proteins cholesterol, albumin and Ca keep in normal values. Nine patients passed to hemodialysis after a mean period of nine months and three of them received a kidney transplant. Three are still in peritoneal dialysis, one of them for 18 months. We compared our results with a similar group of patients who were treated with non-regular peritoneal dialysis. Our group had less cardiovascular complaints, or infections and keep more adequate body weight, and also got more survival in better conditions with less days in hospital, they received less blood transfusion. We concluded that weekly peritoneal dialysis is an alternative method of treatment in uremic patients for longer period of time even though frequently paracentesis.