What is continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis?
• Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is done to remove wastes, chemicals, and extra fluid from your body. The peritoneum is a thin lining on the inside of your abdomen (stomach), and some other organs. During CAPD, a liquid called dialysate is put into your abdomen. It is put in through a CAPD catheter. The catheter is a tube that goes from the outside, to the inside of your abdomen. The dialysate pulls wastes and substances from your blood and lymph fluid through the peritoneum. The wastes mix with the dialysate. The peritoneum works like a filter as the wastes are pulled through it. • The dialysate is left in your abdomen for 3 to 5 hours. This is called the dwell time. After the dwell time, the dialysate is drained out through the catheter. Filling and emptying your abdomen with dialysate is called an exchange. Exchanges may be done 3 to 5 times during the day, and once during the night. CAPD exchanges can decrease or take away problems such as swelling, itching, fatig
