Capillary leak syndrome overview
|
Capillary leak syndrome Microchapters |
|
Diagnosis |
|---|
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
|
Capillary leak syndrome overview On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Capillary leak syndrome overview |
|
Risk calculators and risk factors for Capillary leak syndrome overview |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: M. Hassan, M.B.B.S
Overview
Capillary leak syndrome is a rare medical condition characterized by self-reversing episodes during which the endothelial cells which line the capillaries are thought to separate for a few days, allowing for a leakage of fluid from the circulatory system to the interstitial space, resulting in a dangerous hypotension, hemoconcentration, and hypoalbuminemia. It is a life-threatening illness because each episode has the potential to cause damage to, or the failure of, vital organs due to limited perfusion. It is often misdiagnosed as polycythemia, polycythemia vera or sepsis.
Historical Perspective
The syndrome was first described by B. Clarkson in 1960, after whom it was later informally named. Beyond numerous case reports published since then, two comprehensive reviews of clinical and research experience were published in 2010.
Treatment
Prevention
A few prophylactic treatments have been tried with variable results, principally terbutaline and theophylline.