ABSTRACT
The partial or complete loss of kidney function requires that some form of renal replacement therapy be initiated to maintain life. Renal replacement therapy refers to treatments that aim to remove excess fluid and waste products from the body (dialysis or kidney transplantation) and administration of drugs to supplement residual kidney functions, or manage the effects of lack of kidney functions (UK Renal Registry, 2002). Haemodialysis (HD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (PD) are the principal dialysis techniques commonly used. The former involves the removal of excess fluid and toxic solutes from the blood through a dialysis machine (artificial kidney). Peritoneal dialysis utilises the peritoneal cavity, and a permanently implanted catheter, as the means by which the exchange of toxic metabolic by-products and removal of excess waste is achieved. For details on the differences between dialysis techniques the interested reader may refer to the Oxford Handbook of Dialysis
(Levy et al., 2004). The guidelines discussed in this chapter refer only to patients undergoing dialysis therapy.
