Phosphatidylcholine Administration in Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) Patients with Reduced Ultrafiltration

To evaluate the possible role of oral phosphatidylcholine administration in improving peritoneal ultrafiltration sixteen continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients with a reduced ultrafiltration rate (less than 500 mL/4 h after a standard 3.86% glucose exchange) were studied. Three patients spontaneously stopped phosphatidylcholine due to gastric side effects. Three out of the remaining 13 patients showed a mild increase of standard ultrafiltration, which was not followed by any increase in daily dialysate output. No differences in glucose, sodium, potassium, urea and creatinine equilibration curves were seen. In conclusion, in our series oral phosphatidylcholine is not free of side effects, and its efficacy in improving ultrafiltration is scanty, with no clinical relevance in increasing daily ultrafiltration.