Bicarbonate: the alternative buffer for peritoneal dialysis.

For a long time bicarbonate, the physiological buffer of the body, was suggested to be the best buffer for peritoneal dialysis. However, since the production of bicarbonate-containing solutions is associated with technical problems, lactate was favored. To avoid the well-known disadvantages of lactate solution concerning biocompatibility and possible metabolic side effects, different attempts have been made to use bicarbonate as a buffer in peritoneal dialysis. One of the major approaches was the total replacement of lactate by bicarbonate combined with storage of the fluid in a specially designed double-chamber bag. Further solutions of the above-mentioned problem were the on-line preparation of bicarbonate fluids for intermittent peritoneal dialysis, the addition of bicarbonate just before use, the combination of bicarbonate with organic acids, or its combination with the dipeptide glycylglycine as a stabilizing agent. By now, the beneficial effect of the neutral bicarbonate fluid, for example, on cell viability and cell functions, has been demonstrated in many different in vitro and animal studies. However, only few reports on clinical experience have been published. These investigations demonstrated independently that bicarbonate fluids diminish inflow pain, are well tolerated by the patients, and may correct metabolic acidosis of uremic patients. A controlled randomized multicenter trial using 34 mmol/L bicarbonate for at least three months confirmed that bicarbonate is as efficacious as lactate in equimolar concentrations. Concomitant investigations on energy metabolism and redox state of red blood cells and phospholipid secretion of mesothelial cells additionally demonstrated the improvement of cell function with bicarbonate solutions. For some patients with severe metabolic acidosis the bicarbonate concentration used in the multicenter trial seemed to be too low. Thus, a fluid containing a higher bicarbonate concentration was tested in a pilot study resulting in the expected significant increase of arterial bicarbonate levels. In summary, bicarbonate-containing peritoneal dialysis solutions are a promising alternative to lactate, especially if bicarbonate concentrations are adjusted individually to the patient's need.