Volume Overload

last authored:
last reviewed:

 

 

 

Introduction

 

 

 

The Case of...

a simple case introducing clincial presentation and calling for a differential diagnosis to get students thinking.

return to top

 

 

 

Causes and Risk Factors

Volume expansion occurs when salt and water intake exceeds renal and extrarenal losses.

Primary renal sodium retention, leading to increased effective circulating volume, occurs with:

Secondary renal sodium retention, leading to decreased effective circulating volume, occurs with:

return to top

 

 

 

Pathophysiology

The net effect of causes of sodium and water retention is increased capillary hydrostatic pressures which shift fluids from the vasculature to the interstitial space.

return to top

 

 

 

Signs and Symptoms

  • history
  • physical exam

History

 

Physical Exam

cardiovascular

  • Increased JVP
  • normal/increased blood pressure
  • S3

respiratory

  • inspiratory crackles

skin

  • normal/increased skin turgor
  • edema in ankles/sacral areas

return to top

 

 

 

Investigations

  • lab investigations
  • diagnostic imaging

Lab Investigations

decreased hematocrit and serum protein

Diagnostic Imaging

 

return to top

 

 

 

Differential Diagnosis

 

return to top

 

 

 

Treatments

Dietary sodium restriction in combination with diuretics is the mainstay of treatment.

return to top

 

 

 

Consequences and Course

 

return to top

 

 

 

Resources and References

 

return to top

 

 

Topic Development

authors:

reviewers:

 

return to top