Combined peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis: our experience compared to others

Abstract

Objective: To determine the clinical experience of using combined-modality [simultaneous hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD)] treatment in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Design: We reviewed data on 4 patients from our center that were treated with "combined-mode therapy." We then conducted a retrospective survey by sending questionnaires to nephrologists in the US and Canada by mail and by posting the survey on the Internet. Data queried included number of patients on combined modality, solute clearances, albumin levels pre and post combined therapy, reasons for using combined therapy, duration and success of combined therapy, and reimbursement issues.

Setting and participants: Ours is a tertiary-care center. Patients that were not doing well on PD alone were put on combined modality of treatment between 1992 and 1998.

Main outcome measures: Clinical improvement in the indication for which the participant was started on combined modality.

Results: In response to the survey, data on 27 patients were collected. These data were combined with data on 4 patients from our unit that had previously been treated with combined HD and PD. Most patients were reported to have more than one clinical reason for changing from PD to combined therapy. The main clinical reason for offering combined treatments was inadequate solute clearance (34%), followed by ultrafiltration problems (16%) and neuropathy (11%). Mean duration of time followed on combined treatment was 8.5 +/- 0.12 months. Most patients tolerated combined treatment well and were reported to show improvement in the clinical reasons for which they needed the combined modality. Dual access and reimbursement issues were not a problem. There was no single method used for calculating total (HD, PD, and residual renal) solute clearance. No universal total solute clearance goal was reported.

Conclusion: Hemodialysis and PD are not mutually exclusive. They can be used in combination to achieve targeted solute clearances, to improve certain clinical conditions, and to control volume and blood pressure in a subset of patients. Further evaluation is needed to better establish the long-term outcomes of using combined modality. Total solute clearance goals and methods for determining total solute clearance need to be standardized.