Third Space Syndrome

Third spacing third spacing is the abnormal accumulation of fluid into an extracellular and extravascular space.

Third space syndrome. Third spacing occurs with low albumin levels secondary to the reduced ability of the intravascular space to keep fluid within or pull fluid back from the interstitial space. With regard to severe burns fluids may pool on the burn site i e. Intracellular fluid which makes up approximately 60 65 of body water and extracellular fluid which makes up the other 35 40 of body water.

In medicine the term is often used with regard to loss of fluid into interstitial spaces such as with burns or edema but it can also refer to fluid shifts into a body cavity transcellular space such as ascites and pleural effusions. It can be seen in a variety of disease processes including liver failure and chf. A popular verb for haemorrhage or other accumulation of fluids into the so called 3rd space or physiologic compartment the interstitial space between the skin and fascia that isn t normally perfused with fluids.

Third spacing occurs when fluid moves from the intravascular compartment where it does contribute to cardiac output into a body compartment where it cannot contribute to cardiac output. Here s a quick break down of the three different kinds of fluid spacing. This can cause potentially serious problems such as edema reduced cardiac output and hypotension.

Albumin is a predominant protein within the intravascular space that increases colloidal oncotic pressure. Third space fluid shift is the mobilization of body fluid to a non contributory space rendering it unavailable to the circulatory system. Third spacing occurs when too much fluid moves from the intravascular space blood vessels into the interstitial or third space the nonfunctional area between cells.

Third spacing is the physiological concept that body fluids may collect in a third body compartment that isn t normally perfused with fluids. What oncologic emergency occurs secondary to extensive surgical procedures immunotherapy or septic shock. In simpler terms the fluid leaves the intravascular space and leaks into another compartment where it can t really do anything useful for your patient.

S s of hypovolemia hypotension tachycardia low central venous pressure decreased urine output. Loss of extracellular fluid from the vascular to other body compartments. Fluid lying outside of the interstitial tissue exposed to evaporation.