Hemodynamic Effects of Increasing Intraabdominal Pressure in Peritoneal Dialysis

Intra-abdominal pressure, cardiac out put, stroke volume, mean arterial blood pressure and total peripheral resistance were determined in 17 patients on peritoneal dialysis. A significant positive correlation was found between exchange volume and intra-abdominal pressure. Also, we demonstrated significant decreases in cardiac output and stroke volume, in spite of higher heart rate, even with small exchange volumes rangin g between I S mi/kg and 26 mi/kg of body weight. Mean arterial blood pressure increased because of significant increase in peripheral resistance. Peritoneal dialysis with intra-abdominal pressures up to S cm of water (I S -26 mi/kg BW) is relatively free of serious hemodynamic side effects.