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07-19-61-244 October 2, 2009 HomeChoice APD Systems Patient At-Home Guide
5-3
5. Description
3. The solution is allowed to remain (dwell) in the cavity for a period of time.
During this time, waste products pass from the bloodstream through the
peritoneal membrane and into the dialysis solution.
4. The used dialysis solution containing waste products and excess fluids, called
effluent, is then drained from the peritoneal cavity.
5. The peritoneal cavity is then refilled with fresh solution to remain (dwell) for
another period of time.
The draining of used dialysis solution from the abdomen, followed by refilling with
a fresh bag of solution, is known as a dialysis exchange .
5.2.1 Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD)
With CAPD, the blood is always being cleaned. Dialysis exchanges are done
manually three to five times a day. This type of peritoneal dialysis does not use an
automatic cycler. This method can be used to continue your treatments if you are
unable to use your cycler; for example, during a power failure.
Dialysis solution flows by gravity from a plastic bag through the catheter and into
the peritoneal cavity. The solution stays in the peritoneal cavity with the transfer
set closed. Dwell periods typically last four to six hours during the daytime, and up
to eight hours overnight. After the Dwell period, the used solution is drained into a
disposable bag. Then the peritoneal cavity is refilled with fresh solution to begin
the cleaning process again.
5.2.2 Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD)
All peritoneal dialysis techniques that use a cycler to perform exchanges are
referred to as Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD).
APD exchanges are usually referred to as cycles. Each cycle consists of three (3)
phases:
Fill phase
Dwell phase
Drain phase