General Information About Capillary Leak Syndrome
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is a shock condition where the plasma portion of the blood and albumin proteins leak between tissues and muscles as a result of the sudden collapse of the barriers holding the blood inside the vessels.
Although the exact cause is not fully understood, it has been observed that attacks generally begin a few days after a simple upper respiratory tract infection, extreme fatigue, or a stressful event.
During a crisis, the arms, legs, and face swell extremely (edema) within hours. The patient feels excessively weak, blood pressure drops to unmeasurable levels, and severe abdominal pain is experienced.
Since the fluid leaks out of the vessels, there is no blood left for the heart to pump. Blood pressure hits rock bottom, kidneys stop, and oxygen does not go to the brain; if not intervened, death occurs rapidly due to multiple organ failure.
The extreme drop in the albumin level in the blood during an attack, combined with blood cells becoming concentrated and proportionally very high (hemoconcentration) because the fluid has leaked, is the primary diagnostic criterion of the syndrome.
Treatment is an intensive care process racing against time. Albumin and serum supports are carefully administered intravenously to replace the fluid leaked out of the vessels. Immunoglobulin (IVIG) or asthma/theophylline-type medications are used prophylactically to prevent the recurrence of attacks.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
