Edema
BASICS
DESCRIPTION
Presence of abnormal amount of fluid in the interstitial spaces of the body; usually secondary to low intravascular oncotic pressure, obstruction of venous or lymphatic channels, or increased vascular permeability
ETIOLOGY
- Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
- Congestive heart failure
- Pericardial effusion
- Kidney disease (due to retention of salt and water)
- Acute glomerulonephritis
- Acute kidney injury
- Chronic kidney disease
- Cirrhosis
- Venous obstruction
- Superior vena cava syndrome
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Decreased capillary oncotic pressure
- Inadequate intake/production of protein
- Protein malnutrition
- Liver disease
- Excessive losses of protein
- Nephrotic syndrome
- Protein-losing enteropathy
- Increased capillary permeability
- Sepsis
- Histamine-mediated
- Lymphatic obstruction
- Congenital lymphatic malformations
- Obstruction from tumor
- Filariasis
- Radiation therapy
- Medications (calcium channel blockers, vasodilators)
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
- Altered capillary hemodynamics
- Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
- Decreased capillary oncotic pressure
- Increased capillary permeability
- Lymphatic obstruction or dysfunction
COMMONLY ASSOCIATED CONDITIONS
- Nephrotic syndrome
- Congestive heart failure
- Liver disease
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