LONG-TERM INTRAPERITONEAL DEFEROXAMINE FOR HEMOCHROMATOSIS

Intraperitoneal deferoxamine is a well-established treatment for alumi num accumulation syndrome in patients with end-stage renal disease rec eiving peritoneal dialysis, but the use of intraperitoneal deferoxamin e has not been described outside of the setting of chronic renal failu re. We present here a case of secondary hemochromatosis, complicated b y cirrhosis and cardiomyopathy, in which a chronic peritoneal dialysis catheter was used both to treat ascites and to deliver parenteral def eroxamine for iron overload. Daily urinary iron excretion was similar to that achieved when using standard routes of deferoxamine administra tion. Over a 2-year period, reversal of both the biochemical indicator s and the clinical manifestations of iron overload was accomplished.