Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in high-risk patients: patients with cardiovascular diseases--role of the nurse.

Most patients receiving renal replacement therapy have cardiovascular disease. The most frequent conditions are left ventricular hypertrophy and coronary artery disease. Hemodialysis is associated with a characteristic spectrum of acute complications (such as hypotension, sudden death) that can be explained by typical dialysis-induced effects on the heart. With continuous peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) some of the cardiovascular complications are ameliorated owing to slow ultrafiltration and absence of an arteriovenous fistula. CAPD might be concluded to be the preferable option in patients with cardiovascular disease, but a few disadvantages, such as hyperlipidemia and hyperinsulinemia, also exist. Nurses also play an important role in the therapeutic success and outcomes of these patients.