Interdialytic Peritoneal UltraFiltration in HemoDialysis Patients

Sodium accumulates in the tissues of patients with kidney disease and impairs survival. Three-times weekly, standard hemodialysis alone cannot remove excess sodium efficiently. A sample of 10 chronic hemodialysis patients will undergo a 5-week, pilot, interventional study to test the efficacy of additional sodium removal in-between hemodialysis sessions, twice per week, for three weeks. Tissue sodium removal will be achieved with peritoneal dialysis after the surgical insertion of a peritoneal dialysis catheter. Tissue sodium removal will be assessed at the beginning and at the end of the study with sodium magnetic resonance imaging of a peripheral limb (leg). Patients will also undergo monitoring for symptoms and blood pressure throughout the study to assess the safety of this procedure.