Evaluation of Female Leg Edema Through Ultrasonography

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Authors

  • Eri Ikuta, RN, MA Graduate School of Human Nursing,The University of Shiga Prefecture, Shiga, 522-8533, Japan
  • Yumiko Watanabe, CNM, MA Department of Women’s Health, Graduate School of Human Nursing,The University of Shiga Prefecture, Shiga, 522-8533, Japan
  • Nami Yanagisawa, CNM, MA School of Nursing,Tsuruga Nursing University, Fukui, 914-0814, Japan
  • Miwa Nakagawa, RN, MA Graduate School of Human Nursing,The University of Shiga Prefecture, Shiga, 522-8533, Japan
  • Ayumi Ono, RN, MA Graduate School of Human Nursing,The University of Shiga Prefecture, Shiga, 522-8533, Japan
  • Keiko Seki, CNM, MA Graduate School of Human Nursing,The University of Shiga Prefecture, Shiga, 522-8533, Japan
  • Makiko Oowaki, CNM,PhD Graduate School of Human Nursing,The University of Shiga Prefecture, Shiga, 522-8533, Japan
  • Masafumi Koshiyama, MD,PhD Department of Women’s Health, Graduate School of Human Nursing,The University of Shiga Prefecture, Shiga, 522-8533, Japan
  • Shin-ichi Sakamoto, Dr Eng School of Engineering, Department of Electronic Systems Engineering,The University of Shiga Prefecture, Shiga, 522-8533, Japan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17140/whoj.2024.v10.i01.pp05-07.6

Keywords:

heart failure, preeclampsia, cirrhosis, pulmonary hypertension, and renal failure

Abstract

Peripheral edema is the swelling of lower legs or hands. Venous edema, which differs from lymphedema, occurs when
something disrupts the usual balance of body fluids1
and involves
the accumulation of fluid in the extracellular compartment, which
results in an increase in the volume of interstitial fluid.2
Physiologically, a balance exists between intravascular hydrostatic and oncotic
pressures and the interstitial pressure.3
Transcapillary hydrostatic
pressure tends to drain fluid from blood vessels, whereas oncotic pressure (hypoalbuminemia) tends to produce fluid retention
in blood vessels. Venous edema consists of excess low-viscosity,
protein-poor interstitial fluid resulting from increased capillary filtration that cannot be accommodated by a normal lymphatic system.4
Thus, fluid movement occurs from the venous system into
the extravascular space. Initially, gravity pulls the fluid down into
both legs and feet.

References

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Published

2024-05-20

How to Cite

Eri Ikuta, RN, MA, Yumiko Watanabe, CNM, MA, Nami Yanagisawa, CNM, MA, Miwa Nakagawa, RN, MA, Ayumi Ono, RN, MA, Keiko Seki, CNM, MA, … Shin-ichi Sakamoto, Dr Eng. (2024). Evaluation of Female Leg Edema Through Ultrasonography. Women’s Health, 5–7. https://doi.org/10.17140/whoj.2024.v10.i01.pp05-07.6

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