Potassium removal with peritoneal dialysis

Abstract

Peritoneal dialysis is a reasonable adjunctive therapy to other measures in severe hyperkalemic states or suitable for slow reduction in non life threatening hyperkalemia. The acute benefits of peritoneal dialysis in K intoxication probably stem more from changes in ECF glucose, calcium, bicarbonate, and sodium concentrations than from K removal. Peritoneal dialysis can be started in minutes (in contrast to hemodialysis) and is well tolerated (unlike repeated resin enemas). Volume overload, a risk of intravenous bicarbonate and glucose administration, can be avoided.