Thoracentesis is used diagnostically to establish the cause of a pleural effusion. It can also be performed to drain large effusions that lead to respiratory compromise. Contraindications Limited data exist regarding the safety of thoracentesis in patients with coagulation abnormalities. The procedure is probably safe in patients with mild or moderate elevations of the prothrombin time or partial-thromboplastin time. The decision to use fresh-frozen plasma or platelet concentrates in patients with clinically significant coagulopathy or thrombocytopenia must be made on an individual basis. The procedure should be used with care in patients who are receiving mechanical ventilation, since positive-pressure . . . .
Chapters:
Introduction
Indications
Contraindications
Equipment
Preparation
Pleural fluid aspiration
Pleural fluid analysis
Complications
References
Light RW. Pleural effusion. N Engl J Med 2002;346:1971-1977. [Free Full Text]
McVay PA, Toy PTCY. Lack of increased bleeding after paracentesis and thoracentesis in patients with mild coagulation abnormalities. Transfusion 1991;31:164-171. [CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
Colt HG, Brewer N, Barbur E. Evaluation of patient-related and procedure-related factors contributing to pneumothorax following thoracentesis. Chest 1999;116:134-138. [Free Full Text]
Petersen WG, Zimmerman R. Limited utility of chest radiograph after thoracentesis. Chest 2000;117:1038-1042. [Free Full Text]
Trachiotis GD, Vricella LA, Aaron BL, Hix WR. As originally published in 1988: reexpansion pulmonary edema. Ann Thorac Surg 1997;63:1206-1207. [Free Full Text]
Related Letters:
Thoracentesis
Eisen L. A., Temes R. T., Thomsen T. W., Setnik G. S.
Extract |
Full Text |
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N Engl J Med 2007;
356:641-642, Feb 8, 2007.
Correspondence
This article has been cited by other articles:
Heffner, J. E., Klein, J. S.
(2008). Recent Advances in the Diagnosis and Management of Malignant Pleural Effusions. Mayo Clin Proc.
83: 235-250
[Abstract][Full Text]
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