Received 13 March 2002; received in revised form 13 May 2002; accepted 5 August 2002.
Abstract
Peripheral edema often poses a dilemma for the clinician because it is a nonspecific finding common to a host of diseases ranging from the benign to the potentially life threatening. A rational and systematic approach to the patient with edema allows for prompt and cost-effective diagnosis and treatment. This article reviews the pathophysiologic basis of edema formation as a foundation for understanding the mechanisms of edema formation in specific disease states, as well as the implications for treatment. Specific etiologies are reviewed to compare the diseases that manifest this common physical sign. Finally, we review the clinical approach to diagnosis and treatment strategies.
aDivision of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, and Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA
Requests for reprints should be addressed to J. Edwin Atwood, MD, Department of Cardiology, Building 2, Walter Reed Army Center, 6900 Georgia NW, Washington, D.C. 20307 USA
ABSTRACT
