Heat sterilization of fluids for peritoneal dialysis gives rise to aldehydes.

OBJECTIVE

To chemically identify and quantify glucose degradation products in heat sterilized fluids for peritoneal dialysis.

DESIGN

Three different brands of commercial PD-fluids and one laboratory made fluid, sterilized either by heat or filtration, were investigated for the presence of aldehydes.

MEASUREMENTS: Aldehydes were identified and quantified using high performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography.

RESULTS

The tested brands of heat sterilized PD-fluids were found to contain several different aldehydes while the sterile filtered PD-fluid contained none. The highest concentrations in commercial PD-fluids of these aldehydes were: acetaldehyde (420 microns), glyoxal (14 microns), methylglyoxal (12 microns) and formaldehyde (11 microns). Valeraldehyde was also identified but not quantified. The presence of 5-HMF (15 microns) and 2-furaldehyde (2 microns), which has been identified by others, was confirmed.

CONCLUSIONS

The heat sterilization of commercial PD-fluids gives rise to several aldehydes which may contribute to adverse effects of PD-fluids on patients.