Drainage of large pleural effusions increases left ventricular preload

Objectives: The 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.

Design: The study was descriptive, and patients were their own controls.

Setting: The setting was a single-center university hospital.

Participants: Patients with pleural effusion requiring pleurocentesis were eligible for inclusion.

Interventions: The participants who had pleurocentesis performed were available for analysis.

Measurements and main results: Prior 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.

Conclusions: Pleurocentesis increased left ventricular preload and improved respiratory function.