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.
