The physiologic basis for clinical edema

Abstract

Edema is a common clinical sign indicating expansion of the interstitial fluid volume. Factors that regulate the size of this compartment are capillary fluid dynamics, interstitial fluid pressure, lymph flow, and interstitial compartment compliance, all of which are delicately balanced. An appreciation of the manner in which common disease processes upset this delicate balance can lead to a better understanding of clinical edema.