Albumin

Peripheral edema in the ankles and legs occurs through the same low-albumin, low-oncotic-pressure mechanism responsible for ascites. When liver-produced albumin falls, fluid escapes from blood vessels into surrounding tissues and body cavities, causing ascites and edema. Albumin is produced by the liver and maintains the osmotic pressure that keeps fluid within blood vessels. Leg and ankle edema in liver failure occurs through the same low-albumin, low-oncotic-pressure mechanism that causes ascites. The liver produces albumin, whose failure to accumulate properly is the initiating mechanism of ascites in liver disease.