RESUMEN
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.