Systemic capillary leak syndrome: A case of severe presentation and treatment response

Authors

  • Ignacio Lasierra Lavilla Servicio de Medicina Interna. Hospital Obispo Polanco. Servicio Aragonés de Salud. Teruel, España https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4967-7122
  • Cherpentier Fonseca López Servicio de Medicina Interna. Hospital Obispo Polanco. Servicio Aragonés de Salud. Teruel, España
  • Isabel Ester Escuer Núñez Servicio de Endocrinología. Hospital Obispo Polanco. Servicio Aragonés de Salud. Teruel, España
  • Francisco Javier Lerín Sánchez Servicio de Medicina Interna. Hospital Obispo Polanco. Servicio Aragonés de Salud. Teruel, España https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3272-2512

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23938/ASSN.1141

Keywords:

Capillary Leak Syndrome, Hemoconcentration, Hypoalbuminemia, Compartment Syndrome, Immunoglobulins

Abstract

Systemic capillary leak syndrome is a rare disorder, first described in 1960, characterized by recurrent episodes of shock, hemoconcentration, and hypoalbuminemia. Diagnosis is primarily clinical, and management includes supportive care and immunoglobulin therapy. Given its potentially life-threatening course, early recognition and timely treatment are essential to improving outcomes.

We report the case of a 48-year-old man with recurrent episodes of shock, hemoconcentration, and hypoalbuminemia, initially misdiagnosed as sepsis. He required intensive care management and underwent fasciotomies of all four extremities due to compartment syndrome. During the second hospitalization, he was correctly diagnosed with systemic capillary leak syndrome. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins, theophylline, and salbutamol was initiated, leading to a sustained favorable clinical response to date.

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Author Biographies

Ignacio Lasierra Lavilla, Servicio de Medicina Interna. Hospital Obispo Polanco. Servicio Aragonés de Salud. Teruel, España

Servicio de Medicina Interna. Hospital Obispo Polanco. Servicio  Aragonés de Salud. Teruel, España

Cherpentier Fonseca López, Servicio de Medicina Interna. Hospital Obispo Polanco. Servicio Aragonés de Salud. Teruel, España

Servicio de Medicina Interna. Hospital Obispo Polanco. Servicio Aragonés de Salud. Teruel, España

Isabel Ester Escuer Núñez, Servicio de Endocrinología. Hospital Obispo Polanco. Servicio Aragonés de Salud. Teruel, España

Servicio de Endocrinología. Hospital Obispo Polanco. Servicio Aragonés de Salud. Teruel, España

Francisco Javier Lerín Sánchez , Servicio de Medicina Interna. Hospital Obispo Polanco. Servicio Aragonés de Salud. Teruel, España

Servicio de Medicina Interna. Hospital Obispo Polanco. Servicio Aragonés de Salud. Teruel, España

References

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Published

2025-10-16

How to Cite

1.
Lasierra Lavilla I, Fonseca López C, Escuer Núñez IE, Lerín Sánchez FJ. Systemic capillary leak syndrome: A case of severe presentation and treatment response. An Sist Sanit Navar [Internet]. 2025 Oct. 16 [cited 2026 Feb. 10];48(3):e1141. Available from: https://recyt.fecyt.es/index.php/ASSN/article/view/117727

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