Aims and objectives: To evaluate the role of acute intermittent peritoneal dialysis (PD) in resistant congestive heart failure (CHF).
Material and methods: The study was conducted on 20 adult patients of resistant CHF. These patients were subjected to 12 cycles of acute intermittent hypertonic peritoneal dialysis. Improvement was monitored by clinical symptomatology, echocardiography, measurement of ultrafiltration and quantity of sodium transferred.
Results: There was improvement in clinical symptomatology. There was significance improvement in left ventricular (LV) function as evidenced by improvement in ejection fraction from a predialysis value of 43.35 +/- 16.73% to a post dialysis value of 53.55 +/- 14.53%. The ultrafiltration and quantity of sodium transferred was also significant.
Conclusions: Acute intermittent hypertonic peritoneal dialysis is an effective and safe treatment modality in patients of resistant CEF. The patients subsequently respond well to medical therapy.