Peritoneal dialysis (2^nd Ed., 2nd ed. 1985. Softcover reprint of the original 2nd ed. 1985)

Peritoneal dialysis represents an internal technique for blood purification. In this dialyzer the blood path, the membrane, and the dialysate compartment are provided by nature. The developments of chronic peritoneal catheters, auto­ mated cycling equipment, solution preparation by reversed osmosis, manipula­ tions of transport with drugs, and the experiences with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis and continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis have increased the interest in peritoneal dialysis. Publications related to peritoneal dialysis exceed 400 annually. The Peritoneal Dialysis Bulletin represents a new journal devoted to peritoneal dialysis developments. The Third International Symposium on Peri­ toneal Dialysis is to be held in Washington, D.C. in 1984. From this meeting it is likely that an International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis will emerge. This book is meant to provide an overview of the state of the art of peritoneal dialysis. Many clinicians are making extensive commitments to peritoneal dialysis for the first time. Nephrologists, physiologists, pharmacologists, biomedical engineers, and even physicists are involved in studies to better understand peritoneal dialysis. The complexities of peritoneal dialysis and the peritoneal membrane are becoming apparent. Studies of peritoneal dialysis increase under­ standing of the anatomy and physiology of biological membranes and of factors influencing the passive movement of solutes across the microcirculation and related structures. Peritoneal dialysis provides a 'window' to the visceral micro­ circulation in animals and humans. Peritoneal dialysis may be useful to treat problems other than renal failure.

1. History of peritoneal dialysis.- 2. The peritoneal dialysis system.- 3. The peritoneal microcirculation.- 4. Peritoneal ultrastructure.- 5. Transport kinetics.- 6. Ultrafiltration with peritoneal dialysis.- 7. Intermittent peritoneal dialysis as renal replacement therapy.- 8. Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.- 9. Continuous cyclic peritoneal dialysis.- 10. Pharmacologic manipulation of peritoneal transport.- 11. Comments on dialysis solution, antibiotic transport, poisoning, and novel uses of peritoneal dialysis.- 12. Managing the nutritional concerns of the patient undergoing peritoneal dialysis.- 13. Peritonitis.- 14. Complications of peritoneal dialysis other than peritonitis.- 15. Peritoneal dialysis in children.- 16. Peritoneal dialysis in diabetics.- 17. Peritoneal membrane stability and the kinetics of peritoneal mass transfer.- 18. The USA CAPD Registry.- 19. Peritoneal dialysis results in the EDTA Registry.- 20. Quality of life and psychosocial aspects of chronic peritoneal dialysis.- Index of subjects.