Peritoneal dialysis as a successful treatment in patients with refractory congestive heart failure: a one-center experience

Introduction: Ultrafiltration (UF) technique is a valuable alternative to pharmacological therapy in the treatment of patients with refractory congestive heart failure (HF). The aim of this study was to describe a single-center experience in the treatment of refractory HF patients with peritoneal dialysis (PD). Methods: Retrospective study of 5 patients included in a single PD Unit, showing symptoms and signs of severe refractory congestive HF to optimal pharmacological therapy (NYHA class IV). Clinical and laboratory parameters, survival, hospitalization, and peritonitis rates were recorded. Results: Patients were followed for 9.36 (+/- 6.36) months; population mean age was 62 (+/- 16) years and Charlson's comorbidity index was 7.2 (+/- 2.1). After PD therapy, functional class of NYHA significantly improved (class IV to class II in 4 patients). Doppler-echocardiography improved in terms of ejection fraction (EF) or systolic pressure of the pulmonary artery (SPPA) in 3 patients. No patient was readmitted due to HF. Hospitalization days substantially decreased in 4 patients. One patient presented with peritonitis episodes. Three patients died but the mean survival was higher than expected according to their comorbidity index. Conclusion: PD, applied to refractory HF in addition to optimal pharmacological therapy, improves quality of life and functional class and reduces hospitalization days due to HF.