Extensive Peritoneal Calcification as a Complication of Long Term CAPD

Extensive peritoneal calcification (EPC) has been previously reported in only 5 cases as a complication of long-term continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) (1-4). We present and analyze data on 3 such cases. Abnormal metabolism of calcium appeared to be one cause of this disorder in the 3 patients presented here. All patients had received alfacalcidiol and calcium carbonate as a phosphate binder. Aluminum-containingphosphate binder was not used. A dialysate Ca of 3.5 mEq/L, Mg 1.5 mEq/ L, and lactate 35 mEq/L was used until March 1988. We then adopted a new dialysis solution with Ca 3.5 mEq/L, Mg 0.5 mEq/L, and lactate 40 mEq/L. Vascular calcifications were not observed at the initiation of chronic dialysis therapy.