Therapeutic Thoracentesis for Patients With Congestive Heart Failure and Large Pleural Effusion

Effect of Therapeutic Thoracentesis on Cardiopulmonary Function in Patients With Congestive Heart Failure Complicated With Large to Massive Pleural Effusion

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT00629538

Enrollment

Registered

2008-03-06

Start date

2007-03-31

Completion date

2009-07-31

Last updated

2010-12-30

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Congestive Heart Failure, Transudative Pleural Effusion

Keywords

congestive heart failure, thoracentesis, transudative pleural effusions

Brief summary

Transudative pleural effusions are a common manifestation of patients with congestive heart failure. Severe dyspnea and respiratory failure may develop in those with large effusions, which in general show poor response to medical treatment. Therapeutic thoracenteses (TT) may be indicated in these patients and can produce marked relief of symptoms. However, the underlying effect of TT on gas exchange and respiratory mechanics in theses patients remains unclear. The researchers' hypothesis is that,TT may improve arterial oxygenation and respiratory mechanics in patients with congestive heart failure complicated by large pleural effusions.

Interventions

PROCEDURETherapeutic thoracentesis

Thoracentesis was performed with drainage of 500 ml of pleural fluid first and every 200 ml thereafter until pleural pressure was lower than -20 cm H2O, chest discomfort developed, or no more pleural fluid could be removed.

Study design

Allocation

Intervention model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* transudative pleural effusion established by the criteria of Light * the effusion occupying at least half of one hemithorax shown on chest radiography * symptoms of respiratory distress * diagnosis of congestive heart failure

Exclusion criteria

* severe uncontrolled coagulopathy * unstable hemodynamics * diagnosis of liver cirrhosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,asthma and/or any parenchymal lung disease, such as pneumonia, fibrosis or malignancy.

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Vital signs, minute volume, expiratory tidal volume, dynamic compliance, arterial oxygen saturation and arterial blood gases, the volume of pleural fluid removed, and the changes in pleural liquid pressure and pleural space elastance	15 minutes after therapeutic thoracentesis

Countries

Taiwan

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026