Icodextrin is particularly helpful for long dwells in which type of transporter patients?

Icodextrin is particularly helpful for long dwells in which type of transporter patients?

• A. Low transporter patients with long dwells
• B. High transporter patients with long dwells
• C. High transporter patients with short dwells
• D. Low transporter patients with short dwells

Answer: (B)

Icodextrin helps maintain ultrafiltration during long dwells by providing a persistent osmotic gradient. Dextrose-based solutions lose their osmotic draw as glucose is absorbed, which reduces fluid removal—this is especially a problem for patients with high transporter membranes, who transfer solutes quickly and thus lose the osmotic gradient faster during a long dwell. Icodextrin, a larger glucose polymer, isn’t rapidly absorbed, so it sustains the osmotic gradient for the entire dwell and improves ultrafiltration in these long dwell situations. In low transporter patients, UF may already be adequate with standard solutions, so icodextrin isn’t as necessary, and short dwells don’t rely on a long-lasting gradient. Thus, icodextrin is particularly helpful for long dwells in high transporter patients.

Icodextrin helps maintain ultrafiltration during long dwells by providing a persistent osmotic gradient. Dextrose-based solutions lose their osmotic draw as glucose is absorbed, which reduces fluid removal—this is especially a problem for patients with high transporter membranes, who transfer solutes quickly and thus lose the osmotic gradient faster during a long dwell. Icodextrin, a larger glucose polymer, isn’t rapidly absorbed, so it sustains the osmotic gradient for the entire dwell and improves ultrafiltration in these long dwell situations. In low transporter patients, UF may already be adequate with standard solutions, so icodextrin isn’t as necessary, and short dwells don’t rely on a long-lasting gradient. Thus, icodextrin is particularly helpful for long dwells in high transporter patients.