Effect of vasodilator and surface active drugs on the efficacy of peritoneal dialysis.

The effect of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a vasodilator drug, and chlorpromazine (CPZ), a surface active drug, on the efficacy of peritoneal dialysis was studied in 25 patients with acute or acute on chronic renal failure in a double blind fashion. Each drug was added to the dialysate during different sets of cycles. In each patient, six clearance periods of 3 cycles each were studied and peritoneal clearances of creatinine and urea and ultrafiltration rates were measured during each clearance period. SNP increased the peritoneal clearance of creatinine and urea by 28.8 percent each (p < 0.001) while CPZ increased the peritoneal creatinine and urea clearance by 17.7 and 26.0 percent respectively (p < 0.001 each). Both drugs significantly increased the ultrafiltration rates (p < 0.001). SNP was found to be superior to CPZ and had prolonged effect even after cessation of administration.