A couple of days ago I blogged about finding an algorithm to calculate PD prescriptions. Alas, because of cycle restrictions being 6-12 cycles, it did not apply to me. I searched some more, and found a PD Calculator by Fresenius Medical (link) that does not have these restrictions. All of the following three screen shots are from this calculator with my data inputted.
There are three panels that are viewable on my large desktop computer all at once which is nice. The left, or first panel above is where patient-specific data is entered. Notice there are small “i”s next to most values that explain in detail what the required value is all about; I found them to be helpful. The Transport entry allows you to dynamically change this value and see how it impact values of Kt/V which are displayed in the third panel. Values are mostly self-explanatory otherwise.
The second or center panel provides Estimated Prescription Data to obtain a minimum of a Kt/V of 1.7. In my case, for the values entered in the left panel, it suggests a maximum fill volume of 2.7 L per fill, and 6 exchanges.
The right/last panel is labeled Physician Modeling. I inputted my current prescription of 2.5L per fill 4x fills, and 2 hour dwell and the panel provided an estimated Kt/V value of 1.4 for these parameters. This is very close to the lab-provided value of 1.46 and 1.67 my two most recent readings. To obtain these readings, I had to adjust the Transport input in the left panel to the second highest setting which is more Transport than I recall I am getting from my current PD.
So there it is, a way for patients to play around with their numbers and see how variables are interrelated. Go for it!
Leave a Reply