Peritoneal Dialysis

Two different types of peritoneal dialysis are available: CAPD and CCPD.

CAPD: Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis

Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) uses liquid called dialysate, which is contained in prepared sterile bags. The patient attaches tubing in the shape of a Y with two bags attached to his/her catheter. One of the bags is empty; the other contains dialysate. The empty bag is used to drain off used dialysate fluid and waste products. Then the bag containing the fluid is drained into the patient?s peritoneum and left in for three to six hours while the dialysis process takes place. Once the clean fluid has drained into the patient, he/she clamps or caps off the catheter. The bags and Y-tubing are removed and discarded. The patient repeats this process three to five times a day, every day.

This exchange process is completed three to five times per day, every day. At night, the CAPD patient allows the dialysate to remain in the peritoneal cavity for up to eight hours before exchanging bags.

Several companies now have disconnect or bagless CAPD systems. This disconnect system has several advantages. The patient no longer wears the tubing and bag used for the exchange. Disconnect systems may decrease peritonitis infection rates.

CCPD: Continuous Cycling Peritoneal Dialysis

With Continuous Cycling Peritoneal Dialysis (CCPD), exchanges are performed while the patient sleeps. A machine, called a cycler, does four functions: it warms, fills, drains, and weighs the solution at timed intervals throughout the night. This process allows some patients to be free of exchanges throughout the daytime hours. Most cycler patients perform a minimum of one mid-day exchange in order to achieve adequate dialysis. At least 30% of required clearance levels can be achieved with a mid-day exchange.

To learn more about peritoneal dialysis treatment methods:

Treatment Methods for Kidney Failure: Peritoneal Dialysis
http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/peritoneal/
Describes the procedures and supplies required for peritoneal dialysis (PD). Explains the differences between types of PD.

Visit Home Dialysis Central at http://www.homedialysis.org/. The Medical Education Institute (MEI) developed this site to raise the awareness and use of peritoneal dialysis (PD) and home hemodialysis.

 

Last updated on: February 22, 2008