Unexplained hypotension and exertional dyspnea in a night-cycled peritoneal dialysis patient--a rare form of icodextrin hypersensitivity.

In recent years, icodextrin 7.5% has been used in PD as an alternative to glucose to achieve sustained reliable ultrafiltration (UF) and clearance without adversely increasing glucose absorption. Icodextrin is generally well tolerated. The most commonly reported adverse events are cutaneous reactions. We report a rare form of hypersensitivity to icodextrin 7.5% that was accompanied by dyspnea and symptomatic hypotension, without increased UF to account for the observed hypotension. Icodextrin produces symptomatic hypotension in up to 40% of patients by a known mechanism of increased UF and corresponding weight loss. However, it can also produce symptomatic hypotension accompanied by several other systemic symptoms in a hypersensitivity reaction. Discontinuation of the icodextrin results in prompt resolution of those symptoms. Treating nephrologists must be aware of this rare form of icodextrin hypersensitivity.