Tunneled Pleural Catheter Placement with and without Talc Poudrage for Treatment of Pleural Effusions Due to Congestive Heart Failure

Indwelling pleural catheters for benign pleural effusions: a concise review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Benign pleural effusions (BPEs) are more common than malignant effusions and their treatment involves treating the underlying disease process. However, in cases refractory to medical management, pleural interventions might be necessary. Use of indwelling pleural catheters (IPCs) has been gaining popularity for patients with refractory effusion. In this review, we will focus on reviewing the data assessing safety and efficacy of IPC in patients with BPE related to congestive heart failure (CHF), hepatic hydrothorax, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and chylothorax.

RECENT FINDINGS

Several small studies including the most recent randomized control trial have looked into the efficacy and safety of IPC in BPE. Majority of data come from patients having CHF and hepatic hydrothorax as the underlying cause of the effusion. Limited data are available in patients with ESRD and chylothorax. Time to pleurodesis varies but is relatively higher in this patient population. Caution must be addressed in patients with immunocompromised status given a high risk of infection.

SUMMARY

IPCs are increasingly being used in patients with BPE refractory to medical management. They can be used both for palliation and to achieve pleurodesis in some cases. Further data in the form of randomized control trials are still needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of its use in this patient population.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Pleural Effusion. Recommendations of the Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery. Update 2022

Pleural effusion (PE) is a common yet complex disease that requires specialized, multidisciplinary management. Recent advances, novel diagnostic techniques, and innovative patient-centered therapeutic proposals have prompted an update of the current guidelines. This document provides recommendations and protocols based on a critical review of the literature on the epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, prognosis, and new therapeutic options in PE, and addresses some cost-effectiveness issues related to the main types of PE.

Tunneled Uncuffed Pigtail Drainage Catheter Placement in Patients with Refractory Ascites or Pleural Effusion: A Single-Center Experience

PURPOSE

No evidence exists to support the use of tunneled non-cuffed pigtail drainage catheters in patients with refractory ascites or pleural effusion. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of non-cuffed tunneled pigtail drainage catheters in patients with refractory ascites or pleural effusions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between October 5, 2020 and May 25, 2021, 34 pigtail catheters were implanted in 27 patients (17 males, 10 females; average age: 65.66 ± 12.04 years) under either ultrasound or computed-tomography guidance (19 catheters for ascites, 15 catheters for pleural effusion). Twenty-eight catheters (82.35%) were implanted for malignant etiologies, and 6 catheters (17.65%) were implanted for benign etiologies. The catheters (size: 8-14 French) were implanted through a subcutaneous tunnel. Complication rate and factors related to complications were analyzed. Catheter lifetime was analyzed with Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

Patency ranged from 3 to 211 days. None of the patients experienced a major complication (e.g., peritonitis and empyema). Meanwhile, 8 minor complications were observed including 3 catheter occlusion, 3 ascites leakage, 1 peri-catheter local skin infection, 1 peri-catheter local skin reaction. None of the etiologies were related to the catheter complications. However, the 8-F catheter was associated with a significantly higher complication rate (odds = 5.5, p = 0.044). The estimated mean [CI] dwelling time of a catheter was 59.18 [32.97, 85.39] days.

CONCLUSIONS

Image-guided insertion of tunneled peritoneal or pleural pigtail external drainage catheters achieved with a 100% technical success rate and resulted in an acceptable complication rate and catheter lifetime for the management of refractory ascites or pleural effusion.

Nonmalignant Pleural Effusions

Although the potential causes of nonmalignant pleural effusions are many, the management of a few, including complicated pleural infections and refractory heart failure and hepatic hydrothoraces, can be challenging and requires the assistance of interventional pulmonologists. A pragmatic approach to complicated parapneumonic effusions or empyemas is the insertion of a small-bore chest tube (e.g., 14-16 Fr) through which fibrinolytics (e.g., urokinase and alteplase) and DNase are administered in combination. Therapeutic thoracenteses are usually reserved for small to moderate effusions that are expected to be completely aspirated at a single time, whereas video-assisted thoracic surgery should be considered after failure of intrapleural enzyme therapy. Refractory cardiac and liver-induced pleural effusions portend a poor prognosis. In cases of heart failure-related effusions, therapeutic thoracentesis is the first-line palliative therapy. However, if it is frequently needed, an indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) is recommended. In patients with hepatic hydrothorax, repeated therapeutic thoracenteses are commonly performed while a multidisciplinary decision on the most appropriate definitive management is taken. The percutaneous creation of a portosystemic shunt may be used as a bridge to liver transplantation or as a potential definitive therapy in nontransplant candidates. In general, an IPC should be avoided because of the high risk of complications, particularly infections, that may jeopardize candidacy for liver transplantation. Even so, in noncandidates for liver transplant or surgical correction of diaphragmatic defects, IPC is a therapeutic option as valid as serial thoracenteses.

Treating Recurrent Pleural Disease: A Review of Indications and Technique for Chemical Pleurodesis for the Interventional Radiologist

Pleural space diseases such as recurrent pleural effusion and pneumothorax inflict a significant symptomatic burden on patients. Guidelines and studies are available to guide best practices in the setting of refractory effusions, mostly in the setting of malignancy, and recurrent pneumothorax. Less data is available to guide management of refractory transudative effusions. Recurrent pleural effusions can be treated with tunneled pleural catheters or catheter-based pleurodesis. While refractory transudative effusions can benefit from tunneled pleural catheter, this is an area of ongoing research. Regarding recurrent pneumothorax, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) pleurodesis using mechanical or laser/argon beam coagulation is the most effective means of preventing recurrence. Catheter based pleurodesis, a less invasive means of administering chemical sclerosant via percutaneous thoracostomy tube, is only used when surgery is not an option. However, both approaches induce inflammation of the pleural space, resulting in adherence of the parietal and visceral pleura to prevent fluid or air re-accumulation. This article will discuss catheter based chemical pleurodesis geared toward the interventional radiologist, including a review of disease processes and indications, technique, and strategies to mitigate complications as well as a literature review comparing percutaneous chemical pleurodesis to other therapies.

Hepatic Hydrothorax and Congestive Heart Failure Induced Pleural Effusion

Pleural effusions (PEs) are frequently encountered in routine clinical practice, affecting more than 3000 people per million population every year. Heart and liver failures are two of the most common causes of transudative PE. Because these effusions have nonmalignant etiologies, they are commonly referred to as benign effusions despite of the poor prognosis they foretell in their refractory stages. Like malignant effusions, symptom management is important and plays a significant role in palliation when these effusions become refractory to medical therapy.

Lung ultrasound-guided therapeutic thoracentesis in refractory congestive heart failure

Background: Pleural effusion refractory to diuretic treatment is frequent in advanced heart failure. Therapeutic thoracentesis is a time-honored practice, recently made simpler and safer by guidance with lung ultrasound. To assess the feasibility and clinical impact of lung ultrasound-driven therapeutic thoracentesis in refractory heart failure.Methods and results: In a single-centre retrospective analysis we recruited 373 patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (26 ± 12%), New York Heart Association class ≥3, and pleural effusion ≥ moderate at lung ultrasound. All patients underwent lung ultrasound-guided therapeutic thoracentesis. Total of 462 lung ultrasound-guided therapeutic thoracentesis procedures were successfully performed without complications. Evacuated pleural fluid by passive drainage was 1030 ± 534 mL. The maximal interpleural space was 73.6 ± 15.6 mm before, and 12.4 ± 3.1 mm after therapeutic thoracentesis (p < .001). Therapeutic thoracentesis induced an immediate symptomatic improvement in all patients, with New York Heart Association class decrease from 3.84 ± 0.37 pre- to 2.7 ± 0.55 post-therapeutic thoracentesis (p <.001). The improvement was long-lasting (for weeks/months) in 89% of patients. The 6-min walking test was 52 ± 29 m before, and 287 ± 56 m one month after therapeutic thoracentesis (p < .05).Conclusion: Lung ultrasound-driven therapeutic thoracentesis of pleural effusion in decompensated heart failure patients is feasible, safe, and efficient. Therapeutic thoracentesis induces immediate and substantial symptomatic relief followed by long-lasting improvement.

Indwelling pleural catheters for benign pleural effusions: what is the evidence?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Benign pleural effusions are common and usually managed by treating the underlying disease process. In some patients, these effusions may be refractory to medical management. Indwelling pleural catheters, used extensively for malignant pleural effusions, are increasingly used in benign pleural effusions not responding to medical therapy. This review focuses on current data regarding their safety and effectiveness in effusions due to congestive heart failure, hepatic hydrothorax, end-stage renal disease, and chylothorax.

RECENT FINDINGS

Indwelling pleural catheters are effective and appear well tolerated in congestive heart failure, seem to be associated with a low complication rate and may be considered a reasonable treatment option, particularly for nontransplant candidates. The pleurodesis rate interestingly approaches that of malignant pleural effusions (30-40%). In hepatic hydrothorax, indwelling pleural catheters carry a substantial risk of infectious complications and mortality risk and should be avoided in patients awaiting transplantation, but may be acceptable in the setting of palliation in selected patients intolerant to or poor candidates for other therapeutic options. Data are limited for end-stage renal disease and chylothorax, and therefore, indwelling pleural catheters should only be considered in these situations after a thoughtful multidisciplinary discussion.

SUMMARY

Indwelling pleural catheters are effective at symptom palliation and have pleurodesis rates comparable to that seen in malignant pleural effusions. However, given the paucity of evidence and low quality of available data, prospective and comparative studies evaluating safety and efficacy in these specific patient populations are needed.

Hepatic Hydrothorax: An Updated Review on a Challenging Disease

Hepatic hydrothorax is a challenging complication of cirrhosis related to portal hypertension with an incidence of 5-11% and occurs most commonly in patients with decompensated disease. Diagnosis is made through thoracentesis after excluding other causes of transudative effusions. It presents with dyspnea on exertion and it is most commonly right sided. Pathophysiology is mainly related to the direct passage of fluid from the peritoneal cavity through diaphragmatic defects. In this updated literature review, we summarize the diagnosis, clinical presentation, epidemiology and pathophysiology of hepatic hydrothorax, then we discuss a common complication of hepatic hydrothorax, spontaneous bacterial pleuritis, and how to diagnose and treat this condition. Finally, we elaborate all treatment options including chest tube drainage, pleurodesis, surgical intervention, Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt and the most recent evidence on indwelling pleural catheters, discussing the available data and concluding with management recommendations.

Indwelling Tunneled Pleural Catheters for Refractory Hepatic Hydrothorax in Patients With Cirrhosis: A Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND

The outcome of indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) use in hepatic hydrothorax (HH) is unclear. This study aimed to review the safety and feasibility of the IPC in patients with refractory HH.

METHODS

A retrospective multicenter study of patients with HH from January 2010 to December 2016 was performed. Inclusion criteria were refractory HH treated with an IPC and an underlying diagnosis of cirrhosis. Records were reviewed for patient demographics, operative reports, and laboratory values. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate catheter time to removal. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to evaluate for independent predictors of pleurodesis and death.

RESULTS

Seventy-nine patients were identified from eight institutions. Indication for IPC placement was palliation in 58 patients (73%) and bridge to transplant in 21 patients (27%). The median in situ dwell time of all catheters was 156 days (range, 16-1,978 days). Eight patients (10%) were found to have pleural space infection, five of whom also had catheter-site cellulitis. Two patients (2.5%) died secondary to catheter-related sepsis. Catheter removal secondary to spontaneous pleurodesis was achieved in 22 patients (28%). Median time from catheter insertion to pleurodesis was 55 days (range, 10-370 days). Older age was an independent predictor of mortality on multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 1.05; P = .01).

CONCLUSIONS

We present, to our knowledge, the first multicenter study examining outcomes related to IPC use in HH. Ten percent infection risk and 2.5% mortality were identified. IPC placement may be a reasonable clinical option for patients with refractory HH, but it is associated with significant adverse events in this morbid population.

Tunneled Indwelling Pleural Catheters for Refractory Pleural Effusions after Solid Organ Transplant. A Case-Control Study

RATIONALE

The use of tunneled indwelling pleural catheters for management of refractory pleural effusions continues to increase. Pleural space infections are among the most common and serious complication of the procedure. The risk may be higher in patients receiving immunosuppressive medications.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the risk of infections complicating placement of a tunneled indwelling pleural catheter in patients who have received a solid organ transplant.

METHODS

Electronic medical records were retrospectively reviewed to identify patients with prior solid organ transplant who subsequently underwent placement of a tunneled intrapleural catheter. We selected a matched sample of comparison patients without solid organ transplant who underwent the same procedure during the study period. Detailed chart abstraction was performed to compare baseline clinical information with procedure outcomes in both groups.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Nineteen study patients underwent kidney, liver, lung, or heart transplant. Another 55 patients were included in the nontransplant comparison group. Transplant patients were taking a mean of 2.4 (range, 1-4) immunosuppressive medications. In transplant patients, the intrapleural catheter remained in place for a median of 95 days (interquartile range, 58-256 d). Two of the 19 transplant patients (16.9% 90-day Kaplan-Meier estimate) and 4 of the 55 control patients (11.0% weighted 90-day Kaplan-Meier estimate) developed a major infectious complication (not significant). There were no deaths attributed to intrapleural catheter placement in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

In a series of 19 patients with solid organ transplantation taking daily immunosuppressive medications who underwent placement of a tunneled intrapleural catheter, we report an 11% rate of major infectious complications over the lifetime of the catheter in the transplant group with no significant difference in 90-day estimated risk of complication between transplant and nontransplant comparison group.

Diagnosis and Management of Pleural Transudates

Various clinical trials have been published on the optimal clinical management of patients with pleural exudates, particularly those caused by malignant tumors, while little information is available on the diagnosis and treatment of pleural transudates. The etiology of pleural transudates is wide and heterogeneous, and they can be caused by rare diseases, sometimes constituting a diagnostic challenge. Analysis of the pleural fluid can be a useful procedure for establishing diagnosis. Treatment should target not only the underlying disease, but also management of the pleural effusion itself. In cases refractory to medical treatment, invasive procedures will be necessary, for example therapeutic thoracentesis, pleurodesis with talc, or insertion of an indwelling pleural catheter. Little evidence is currently available and no firm recommendations have been made to establish when to perform an invasive procedure, or to determine the safest, most efficient approach in each case. This article aims to describe the spectrum of diseases that cause pleural transudate, to review the diagnostic contribution of pleural fluid analysis, and to highlight the lack of evidence on the efficacy of invasive procedures in the management and control of pleural effusion in these patients.

Management of Benign Pleural Effusions Using Indwelling Pleural Catheters: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The indwelling pleural catheter (IPC), which was initially introduced for the management of recurrent malignant effusions, could be a valuable management option for recurrent benign pleural effusion (BPE), replacing chemical pleurodesis. The purpose of this study is to analyze the efficacy and safety of IPC use in the management of refractory nonmalignant effusions.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the published literature. Retrospective cohort studies, case series, and reports that used IPCs for the management of pleural effusion were included in the study.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies were included in the analysis, with a total of 325 patients. Congestive heart failure (49.8%) was the most common cause of BPE requiring IPC placement. The estimated average rate of spontaneous pleurodesis was 51.3% (95% CI, 37.1%-65.6%). The estimated average rate of all complications was 17.2% (95% CI, 9.8%-24.5%) for the entire group. The estimated average rate of major complications included the following: empyema, 2.3% (95% CI, 0.0%-4.7%); loculation, 2.0% (95% CI, 0.0%-4.7%); dislodgement, 1.3% (95% CI, 0.0%-3.7%); leakage, 1.3% (95% CI, 0.0%-3.5%); and pneumothorax, 1.2% (95% CI, 0.0%-4.1%). The estimated average rate of minor complications included the following: skin infection, 2.7% (95% CI, 0.6%-4.9%); blockage and drainage failure, 1.1% (95% CI, 0.0%-3.5%); subcutaneous emphysema, 1.1% (95% CI, 0.0%-4.0%); and other, 2.5% (95% CI, 0.0%-5.2%). One death was directly related to IPC use.

CONCLUSIONS

IPCs are an effective and viable option in the management of patients with refractory BPE. The quality of evidence to support IPC use for BPE remains low, and high-quality studies such as randomized controlled trials are needed.