PERITONEAL DIALYSIS SOLUTIONS AND FELINE SPLANCHNIC BLOOD FLOW

Splanchnic blood flow is generally considered to be one of the major factors governing the efficiency of peritoneal dialysis; however, few direct measurements of blood flow have been made during peritoneal dialysis. The radioactive microsphere technique was used to assess the effects of 1.5 and 4.25 g/100 ml dextrose-Dianeal solutions on blood flow to various tissues in the abdominal cavity. The effects of dialysis solution on blood flow through the superior mesenteric and coeliac arteries were measured by electromagnetic flowmetry. The results indicate that the commercial peritoneal dialysis solutions dramatically increase blood flow to the mesentery, omentum, intestinal serosa and parietal peritoneum. These changes are not accompanied by significant alterations in blood perfusion in the major abdominal organs (liver, stomach, intestine, pancreas, spleen). Peritoneal dialysis solutions do not significantly alter blood flow through the coeliac and superior mesenteric arteries. These findings indicate that commercial dialysis solutions improve perfusion to the peritoneum without significantly altering splanchnic blood flow.