Peritoneal dialysis is rarely indicated for conditions other than end-stage renal failure. Patients with refractory congestive cardiac failure, who are awaiting cardiac transplantation or have potentially reversible cardiac disease, appear to benefit from CAPD. The prognosis of patients with fulminant hepatic failure or severe acute pancreatitis has not yet been shown to improve with the addition of peritoneal dialysis to standard supportive treatment. Isolated reports have suggested that patients with hypothermia, hyperthermia, dialysis-associated ascites and drug poisonings may be treated successfully with peritoneal dialysis. The above indications are encountered infrequently and renal failure remains the only major indication for commencing patients on peritoneal dialysis.