Another type of dialysis is called peritoneal dialysis (PD). Peritoneal dialysis uses the lining or membrane of the abdominal cavity as a filter to remove fluids and toxins from the blood. A surgeon places a special tube called a PD catheter into the abdomen. Care must be taken to prevent infection with any type of dialysis access. Peritoneal dialysis is done at home every day.
There are 2 types of PD: Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) and Continuous Cycling Peritoneal Dialysis (CCPD). Another name for CCPD is Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD).
In CAPD, exchanges are done using gravity. Dialysis fluid flows from prepackaged fluid bags into the peritoneal cavity through the catheter. The solution usually stays in the abdomen for 4 to 6 hours where it absorbs waste products and extra fluids and then drained. This is called an exchange. Most people do 4 to 5 exchanges per day.
In CCPD or APD, a machine called a cycler, is used to perform the exchanges, and the process is typically done at night while you sleep.
For more information on peritoneal dialysis, check out the class here.
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