Also known as: PD, home peritoneal dialysis
Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) stands as the most prevalent form of at-home dialysis presently. PD employs the peritoneum, a delicate membrane lining the abdomen, to conduct dialysis treatments. In the course of these treatments, a cleansing solution called dialysate is introduced into the patient’s abdomen via a small, flexible tube referred to as a PD catheter. The dialysate effectively draws waste materials and excess fluids from the patient’s bloodstream into the peritoneal cavity.
The dialysate is retained in the abdomen for a specified duration, known as dwell time, before it is eventually drained and replaced with fresh dialysate. As the dialysate is drained, it carries away waste and surplus fluids, while fresh dialysate is introduced to purify the blood. This cyclical process of filling and draining is termed an “exchange,” as it involves substituting the dialysate residing in the abdomen with new and pristine dialysate. These exchanges can be conducted manually or with the assistance of a device known as a cycler.
