Peritoneal surface-active material in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients.

Phospholipids have been demonstrated to be present in the peritoneal dialysis effluent of 34 patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The phospholipids present have been characterized by chromatography and their relative concentrations are fairly consistent from patient to patient. The predominant phospholipid is phosphatidylcholine (81%). Surface activity of this phospholipid has been demonstrated. The concentration of total phospholipid correlates with the time the patient had been on CAPD. It is lower in those patients who have been on dialysis longer.