Incremental Peritoneal Dialysis: A Non-Marginal Treatment, Qualitatively and Quantitatively

Abstract

Incremental peritoneal dialysis has been proved feasible and safe in asymptomatic patients with a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <6 mL/min. A second population is composed of asymptomatic, mostly older patients with GFR between 6 and 10 mL/min, in whom a low-dose start may preserve the residual renal function. Lastly, patients with severe, terminal, chronic cardiomyopathy who are not candidates for a heart transplant may experience beneficial effects on cardiac function and hospitalization with low-dose peritoneal dialysis treatment even when they have GFR >10 mL/min. In conclusion, incremental peritoneal dialysis is a feasible therapeutic option that the nephrologist should know and be able to perform in those patients who may benefit from it. Therefore, it is noted that peritoneal dialysis is not a treatment marginal.