Respiratory muscle strength during continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of chronic renal failure (CRF) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) on respiratory muscle function. Global respiratory muscle strength was assessed by measuring mouth pressures during maximum static inspiration (PIMAX) near residual volume (RV) and expiration (PEMAX) near total lung capacity (TLC), in 26 patients. Maximum pressures, spirometry and lung volumes were measured before dialysis, 4 h after the administration of 2 l of dialysate into the peritoneal cavity, and just after the next drainage. In addition, biochemical indices (urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphorus) and haematological indices (haemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit (Hct)) were measured once before the treatment. The results showed that mean PIMAX and PEMAX were normal, with a very wide range between patients, before CAPD. However, seven patients (27%) showed a PIMAX of