Substitution of a starch polymer for glucose in peritoneal dialysis.

We compared a starch-derived polymer (molecular weight = 900) as the osmotically active agent in peritoneal dialysate (3 and 6% solutions) to results obtained with commercially available glucose dialysate (1.5 and 4.25%). 12 dogs were dialyzed with glucose for 7 days, and 9 received the polymer for 5 days. For dialysate exchanges with an intraperitoneal residence of 240 min the 1.5 and 3% solutions generated similar volumes of ultrafiltrate as did the 4.25 and 6% solutions. However, for exchanges of 960 min the 1.5% dialysate was significantly reabsorbed when compared to the other dialysate concentrations. The serum polymer concentration increased with continued dialysis. The rate of transfer from dialysate to serum in man must still be determined. The lower diffusivity of the polymer will certainly be evidenced. For certain clinical applications where diminished ultrafiltration occurs, the polymer may be of benefit to man.