What is Peritoneal Dialysis?
Peritoneal dialysis (PD) filters the blood. Instead of using an artificial kidney, like hemodialysis, PD uses the thin membrane (called the peritoneum) that lines your abdominal cavity. A large number of blood vessels exist just beneath the peritoneum. To gain access to the cavity, a catheter (a flexible hollow tube) is surgically placed in the lower abdomen. When a fluid called dialysate is introduced to the abdominal cavity through the peritoneal catheter, the chemical properties of the fluid draw toxins out of the blood vessels through the membrane, thus filtering the blood. When the filtering process is complete, the dialysate (along with the toxins) is pumped out of the abdominal
cavity.
There are two types of PD. The most common PD treatment option available is continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (CCPD). During CCPD, a machine automatically fills and drains the dialysate from the patient’s abdomen. This process takes about 10 to 12 hours and is usually performed at night, while the patient sleeps. The other type of PD is a non-mechanical treatment, called continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), which gives patients total mobility and can be used at home, while at work or even while traveling. It generally consists of four short (half-hour) exchanges daily.
cavity.
There are two types of PD. The most common PD treatment option available is continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (CCPD). During CCPD, a machine automatically fills and drains the dialysate from the patient’s abdomen. This process takes about 10 to 12 hours and is usually performed at night, while the patient sleeps. The other type of PD is a non-mechanical treatment, called continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), which gives patients total mobility and can be used at home, while at work or even while traveling. It generally consists of four short (half-hour) exchanges daily.
CCPD
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CAPD
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