Clinical evaluation of a peritoneal dialysis solution with 33 mmol/l bicarbonate

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new peritoneal dialysis solution with 33 mmol/L bicarbonate. Design: In an acute, prospective, randomized crossover study, 8 patients we re randomized in two groups of 4. On the first study day, the first group p erformed two consecutive 4-hour exchanges with a dialysis solution containi ng 35 mmol/L lactate: the first exchange with 13.6 g/L and the second with 38.6 g/L dextrose. On the second study day, the same type of exchanges were performed with bicarbonate. The second group underwent the same treatment, but used bicarbonate solutions on the first day and control solutions on t he second study day. Thirty-three patients participated in a 2-month prospe ctive and randomized study. After a 4-week baseline period using solutions containing 40 mmol/L lactate, the patients were dialyzed with either 33 mmo l/L bicarbonate solutions or 40 mmol/L lactate solutions. Setting: Peritoneal dialysis units at the University Hospital of Brescia an d the Niguarda Hospital of Milan, Italy. Results: Acute study: Control and bicarbonate solutions had similar effects on blood chemistries and peritoneal transport. Chronic study: Mean venous bicarbonate concentrations remained unchanged in the control group (26.6 - 27.2 mmol/L), but decreased significantly in the bicarbonate group from 28. 8 mmol/L at the start of the study to 23.0 mmol/L after 2 months of bicarbo nate administration. Other biochemical parameters remained unchanged. Conclusion: A peritoneal dialysis solution with a bicarbonate level of 33 m mol/L does not adequately correct uremic acidosis.