Bicarbonate-buffered dialysis solutions — a breakthrough in peritoneal dialysis therapy?

Abstract

Peritoneal dialysis is an effective method of renal replacement therapy that utilizes the semi-permeability of peritoneal membrane and an osmotic gradient induced by dialysis solutions. Standard peritoneal solutions can lead to irreversible changes in the structure of peritoneal membrane, and that may eventually can lead to the termination of the method. The main causes of the adverse influence of standard fluids on the peritoneum are glucose degradation products (DGP), low pH and a lactate buffer contained in the dialysis fluid. The new peritoneal solutions seem to be more biocompatible. That was achieved by the modification of the the production process and storage of dialysis fluids, use of neutral pH and an introduction of new buffers. It seems that the use of the biocompatible peritoneal dialysis solutions may provide benefits to the patients but further research is warranted to prove it unequivocally.