Peritoneal Dialysis

Continuous: CAPD is continuous because the process does not end. CAPD constantly cleans the blood as long as there is dialysis fluid in the peritoneal cavity. With CAPD, dialysis is taking place 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Ambulatory: Ambulate means "to walk". CAPD is ambulatory because the patient is not attached to a machine for treatment. The dialysis is happening all the time, day and night - during activities and while the patient sleeps.

Peritoneal: Refers to the peritoneum, the membrane in the abdomen used as the dialysis membrane. The peritoneal membrane acts like a filter which removes waste from the blood. The waste and extra fluid travel into the dialysis solution and are then removed from the body when the solution is drained into a drainage bag.

Dialysis: The blood inside the body is filtered and cleansed of wastes and excess water.

CAPD involves performing an exchange of dialysis fluid, which is a simple procedure. Exchanges are usually carried out by patients themselves, after training by a CAPD nurse. 

CAPD can be performed in any clean and convenient place - at home, at work, at school or on holiday. 

Most CAPD patients need to do between 3 and 5 exchanges a day.

Automated: APD uses a machine to perform the exchanges.

Peritoneal: Refers to the peritoneum, the membrane in the abdomen used as the dialysis membrane. The peritoneal membrane acts like a filter which removes waste from the blood. The waste and extra fluids travel into the dialysis solution and are then removed from the body when the solution is drained into a drain bag.

Dialysis: The blood inside the body is filtered and cleansed of wastes and excess water. 

Dialysis is done at home, at night while the patient is asleep. The APD machine controls the timing of exchanges, drains the used solution, and fills the peritoneal cavity with new solution. Most patients will need to keep fluid in their peritoneal cavity during the day, and some will also need to perform an additional exchange during the day to ensure they receive sufficient dialysis.