Serum BNP concentration and left ventricular mass in CAPD and automated peritoneal dialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE: To compare ultrafiltration under continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and automated PD (APD), disclosing potential effects on serum B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels and echocardiographic findings. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional clinical study included 32 patients on CAPD and 30 patients on APD without clinical evidence of heart failure or hemodynamically significant valvular heart disease. Peritoneal equilibration tests, BNP levels, and echocardiographic measurements were performed in each subject. BNP measurements were also performed in 24 healthy control subjects. RESULTS: Patients on APD had lower ultrafiltration and higher values of BNP and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) compared with patients on CAPD (respectively: 775 +/- 160 vs 850 +/- 265 mL, p = 0.01; 253.23 +/- 81.64 vs 109.42 +/- 25.63 pg/mL, p = 0.001; 185.12 +/- 63.50 vs 129.30 +/- 40.95 g/m(2), p = 0.001). This occurred despite higher mean dialysate glucose concentrations and far more extensive use of icodextrin in the APD group. CONCLUSION: Treatment with APD is associated with higher plasma BNP levels and LVMI compared to CAPD. This may be the result of chronic fluid retention caused by lower ultrafiltration in APD patients.