| [ Summary ] |
The major symptoms of respiratory disease in patients with peritoneal dialysis (PD) are cough, sputum, shortness of breath and dyspnea. Other prominent symptoms are pleural effusion and fever, along with inflammation. Respiratory disorders are caused by complications associated with PD treatment and uremic status. Respiratory complications with PD contribute to an increase in abdominal pressure, resulting from instillation of dialysate into the peritoneal cavity. These include hernia formation, leaks (including hydrothorax or pleuro-peritoneal leaks) and alterations in respiratory function. Complications with PD not specifically related to intra-abdominal pressure include alterations in respiratory function. Some of the problems reviewed are the following : hydrothorax, abnormal shadows in the mediastinum, alterations in respiratory function. |