A compendium of basic principles and clinical practice This publication contains the most recent findings in the field as presented by the outstanding faculty of the 2012 International Vicenza Course on Peritoneal Dialysis. After 30 years, this course is still one of the main educational events in the field of peritoneal dialysis as well as other disciplines including CKD, hemodialysis and critical care nephrology. The publication of the book in time for the course represents another success of the Vicenza team. The experts of the world and the related industry met in Vicenza for this important anniversary which is celebrated by this book representing not only a milestone in the history of the Department of Nephrology and the International Renal Research Institute of Vicenza, but also and above all an extraordinary educational tool for all physicians and nurses interested in peritoneal dialysis today.

This publication contains the most recent findings in the field as presented by the outstanding faculty of the 2012 International Vicenza Course on Peritoneal Dialysis. After 30 years, this course is still one of the main educational events in the field of peritoneal dialysis as well as other disciplines including CKD, hemodialysis and critical care nephrology. The publication of the book in time for the course represents another success of the Vicenza team. The experts of the world and the related industry met in Vicenza for this important anniversary which is celebrated by this book representing not only a milestone in the history of the Department of Nephrology and the International Renal Research Institute of Vicenza, but also and above all an extraordinary educational tool for all physicians and nurses interested in peritoneal dialysis today.

Peritoneal dialysis represents an internal technique for blood purification. In this dialyzer the blood path, the membrane, and the dialysate compartment are provided by nature. The developments of chronic peritoneal catheters, auto mated cycling equipment, solution preparation by reversed osmosis, manipula tions of transport with drugs, and the experiences with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis and continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis have increased the interest in peritoneal dialysis. Publications related to peritoneal dialysis exceed 400 annually. The Peritoneal Dialysis Bulletin represents a new journal devoted to peritoneal dialysis developments. The Third International Symposium on Peri toneal Dialysis is to be held in Washington, D.C. in 1984. From this meeting it is likely that an International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis will emerge. This book is meant to provide an overview of the state of the art of peritoneal dialysis. Many clinicians are making extensive commitments to peritoneal dialysis for the first time. Nephrologists, physiologists, pharmacologists, biomedical engineers, and even physicists are involved in studies to better understand peritoneal dialysis. The complexities of peritoneal dialysis and the peritoneal membrane are becoming apparent. Studies of peritoneal dialysis increase under standing of the anatomy and physiology of biological membranes and of factors influencing the passive movement of solutes across the microcirculation and related structures. Peritoneal dialysis provides a 'window' to the visceral micro circulation in animals and humans. Peritoneal dialysis may be useful to treat problems other than renal failure.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an established risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Stroke, on the other hand, is not only a major player in cardiovascular disease, but it also has strong two-way relationships with CKD. Moreover, subclinical cerebral abnormalities are also associated with CKD. But despite all these connections, the cerebro-renal interaction has so far not received much attention. This book includes easily understandable reviews on brain, stroke and kidney by both experts in nephrology and neurology. Examined are underlying concepts for cerebro-renal interaction, risk of clinical and subclinical brain damage in CKD patients, primary prevention and acute/chronic management for stroke patients with CKD and end-stage kidney disease.This book promotes not only further understanding and a multidisciplinary collaboration between nephrologists and neurologists, but it is also of interest for neurosurgeons and cardiologists.

Not only are dialysis access creation and maintenance prone to complications, but patients suffering from end-stage renal disease and its comorbidities generally have a high risk of adverse events during their continuous treatment. Preventive strategies are key to avoid harm and to improve the outcome of the treatment of the growing number of patients with chronic kidney failure, especially as doctors and nurses are not always aware of the consequences of unsafe behavior. This publication is intended for health care professionals – nurses as well as doctors – and aims to raise the awareness of patient safety aspects, combining medical education with evidence-based medicine. After a general overview of the topic, an international panel of authors provides a diversified insight into important concepts and technical tricks essential to create and maintain a functional dialysis access.

Progress in Peritoneal Dialysis is based on judgement of a number of abstracts, submitted by interested people involved in various aspects of peritoneal dialysis. The book has a wide scope, ranging from in-vitro experiments, mathematical modelling, and clinical studies. The interested reader will find state of the art essays on various aspects of peritoneal dialysis relevant to expand their knowledge on this underused modality of renal replacement therapy.