Mechanisms and management of edema

Abstract

Edema is the abnormal accumulation of fluid beyond the compensatory capacity in the interstitial compartment of tissues within the body. There are various mechanisms that have been proposed to drive edema formation including increased hydrostatic pressure, reduced oncotic pressure within vessels, increased blood vessel wall permeability, and obstruction of the lymphatic system. In clinical practice, it is important to evaluate the characteristics and distribution of edema including pitting edema or non-pitting edema, fast edema or slow edema, systemic edema or local edema and so on. The main pathophysiology of edema might change as various clinical issues change the driving forces of edema formation. Therefore, careful monitoring of clinical and laboratory status in each patient is required for the proper management of edema.