Abstract
A 38-year-old woman suffering from end-stage renal disease was placed on CAPD therapy in 1989. Her fluid intake was so large that overhydration and marked cardiomegaly (cardiothoratic ratio: 60%) was noted. In 1993, extracorponeal ultrafiltration was added to CAPD therapy because of overhydration. She developed tunnel infection in 1993, the CAPD catheter was removed, and hemodialysis therapy was commenced three times per week. The overhydration and cardiomegaly improved (cardiothoracic ratio: 50%) after receiving hemodialysis therapy. In general, CAPD is considered adequate dialysis therapy for patients with cardiovascular complications such as chronic heart failure. However, hemodialysis therapy may also benefit CAPD patients with normal cardiac function who experience chronic heart failure secondary to excess fluid intake.
