Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis as treatment of severe congestive heart failure in the face of chronic renal failure. Report of eight cases.

Eight patients with severe heart failure and renal insufficiency whose conditions were refractory to diuretics were treated by continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Seven of the eight patients died. Although the patients no longer had uncontrolled congestive heart failure, hospitalization rates failed to improve due to dialysis complications and underlying heart disease. The one long-term survivor was being treated with diuretics alone after peritoneal dialysis was used to control heart failure. Although survival was short after initiation of dialysis (median survival, 225 days), this therapy may merit further study in patients less ill.