Increased microvascular water filtration and blood flow in extensive skin disease

The rate of microvascular fluid transfer was estimated in 11 patients with extensive skin disease from the capillary filtration coefficient as measured by strain-gauge plethysmography on the forearm. Capillary filtration of the patients was significantly increased when compared with the control group (p < 0.001). Blood flow was increased to the same extent as capillary function, thus resulting in a normal mean ratio between the capillary filtration coefficient and the blood flow. On this background it is concluded that an increased capillary surface area available for exchange of fluid can explain the increased microvascular water filtration.