Peritoneal Dialysis in Hyponatremia Due to Liver Failure

Abstract

Ring-Larsen, H., Clausen, E. & Ranek, L. 1973. Peritoneal Dialysis in Hyponatremia Due to Liver Failure. Scand. J. Gastroent. 8, 33-40.

Seventeen patients with severe hyponatremia due to advanced liver failure and concurrent impairment of the renal function were treated with peritoneal dialysis against hypertonic solutions. It was possible with this procedure to elevate the serum sodium towards normal values for a time period. Likewise the serum potassium disturbances could be corrected. However, no change was seen in the hepatic encephalopathy or in the liver function tests. The renal function was not significantly influenced by the procedure. Death rate was of the same order as previously reported in patients with this syndrome. The risks attending the treatment are stressed. Correction of severe electrolyte disturbances, achieved by peritoneal dialysis, may eliminate one life-threatening factor in severe liver failure, but whether this improved the survival rate significantly cannot be decided yet.

Key-words::

• Electrolyte disturbances
• hyponatremia in liver failure
• liver failure
• peritoneal dialysis