Effect of a calcium antagonist (verapamil) on the permeability of the peritoneal membrane in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Abstract

Peritoneal clearances of small solutes, mass transfer, ultrafiltration, and the mass transfer area coefficient were measured in order to evaluate the effect of calcium antagonists on the permeability of the peritoneal membrane in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. We studied 10 patients before and after the instillation of 10 mg (5 mg/l) of verapamil into the peritoneal cavity. Our results showed a significant increase of urea, creatinine, and uric acid clearances. A significant increase in ultrafiltration and mass transfer coefficient area was also observed (p less than 0.05), while the mass transfer of K+, Na+, and Ca2+ was essentially unchanged. These findings indicate that the intraperitoneal use of verapamil may induce an increase in the peritoneal permeability in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.