Evaluation of stagnant fluid films during simulated peritoneal dialysis: in-vitro and in-vivo studies.

Abstract

Peritoneal dialysis as conventionally performed is an intermittent low dialysate flow system. Few studies have explored the effects of the intermittent nature of dialysate flow. Using an in-vitro model, we demonstrated that conventional peritoneal dialysis permits the development of stagnant fluid films and that by disruption of these films, dialysance could be augmented. We tested and confirmed these observations by carrying out peritoneal dialysis in rats. Stagnant fluid films may be an important contributor to overall membrane resistance in the peritoneal dialysis system