Anasarca

Can include: Can include: Anasarca is often caused by a decreased oncotic pressure. In Hb Barts, the high oxygen affinity results in poor oxygen delivery to peripheral tissues, resulting in anasarca. It can also be caused by the administration of exogenous intravenous fluid. Anasarca is a diagnosis made clinically and differentiated from edema by extent of body involvement and severity. Whereas edema is usually graded on a mild/moderate/severe scale and usually affects one or two regions of the body, anasarca affects the several of the body and is the most severe form of edema, with subcutaneous tissue swelling from head to feet. Although there is no definitive test to prove anasarca, many tests can be useful to aid in the diagnosis. Anasarca is most often seen in conjunction with a low level of albumin. A research paper published in 2001 demonstrated a linkage between low-voltage ECG (QRS complexes of <5 mm in the limb and <10 mm in the precordial leads) and anasarca.