Drainage of Large Pleural Effusions Increases Left Ventricular Preload

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to investigate if pleurocentesis in patients with pleural effusion would lead to changes in systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle.DesignThe study was descriptive, and patients were their own controls.SettingThe setting was a single-center university hospital.ParticipantsPatients with pleural effusion requiring pleurocentesis were eligible for inclusion.InterventionsThe participants who had pleurocentesis performed were available for analysis.Measurements and Main ResultsPrior to pleurocentesis and approximately 1 hour after, patients were examined primarily with transthoracic echocardiography. The examination included measurements of left ventricular volumes and measures of diastolic function assessed by Doppler echocardiography. Thirty-five patients were included, and 11 later were excluded, yielding a study population of 24. Preload, expressed as left ventricular end-diastolic volume, increased significantly from before to after pleurocentesis (p = 0.014). None of the diastolic parameters showed significant results. Significant changes were observed for heart rate, supplementary O2, respiratory frequency, and saturation.ConclusionsPleurocentesis increased left ventricular preload and improved respiratory function.