Peritoneal dialysis and its impact on intra-abdominal pressure and respiratory mechanics in the critically ill patient: Can PD take the pressure?

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) was historically the initial kidney replacement modality of choice for patients admitted to the intensive care unit, and there are several advantages to maintaining critically ill PD patients on their usual dialysis therapy. However, in this patient population, there are two contentious questions: how are the respiratory dynamics of mechanical ventilation impacted by the presence of dialysate within the abdomen, and what can be done to mitigate these potential effects? This review discusses the theoretical impact of PD on intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and evidence for the effect of IAP on respiratory mechanics in mechanically ventilated PD patients.