Twenty years of bicarbonate solutions.

For many years, lactate has been used successfully as a buffer in peritoneal dialysis solutions although its effectiveness in the correction of uremic acidosis and its biocompatibility on peritoneal resident cells have been questioned. In addition, some investigators have suggested other potential adverse metabolic effects resulting from the unphysiologically high lactate flux into the body during CAPD. These potential problems associated with lactate-containing CAPD solution prompted the search for alternative buffer-containing solutions. Bicarbonate, the physiological buffer, was considered when the problem of calcium and magnesium carbonate solubility was solved by the use of a two-compartment bag system allowing the mixing of bicarbonate and divalent cations immediately before infusion. The long-term tolerance, safety, efficacy and therapeutic value of a bicarbonate-buffered peritoneal dialysis solution have been evaluated for about 15 years. RCT studies demonstrated a benefit for acid base improvement, while observational reports showed other clinical effects such as a preservation of residual renal function, less inflammatory effect and peritonitis prevention. In addition, there is a consensus that local biocompatibility is improved. Therefore, as bicarbonate is the physiological buffer of the body, it should become the solution of choice in PD patients.