{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Re-expansion Pulmonary Edema (REPE) Following Thoracentesis: Is Large-Volume Thoracentesis Associated with Increased Incidence of REPE?
{Author}: Scott S;Morrison B;Young K;Clark L;Li Y;Walter C;Rohr A;Alli A;
{Journal}: Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol
{Volume}: 47
{Issue}: 7
{Year}: 2024 Jul 10
{Factor}: 2.797
{DOI}: 10.1007/s00270-024-03773-2
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>To determine the safety and efficacy associated with drainage volumes greater than 1,500 mL in a single, unilateral thoracentesis without pleural manometry measurements.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>This retrospective, single-institution study included 872 patients (18 years and older) who underwent ultrasound-guided thoracentesis. Patient and procedures data were collected including demographics, number of and laterality of thoracenteses, volume and consistency of fluid removed, and whether clinical or radiologic evidence of re-expansion pulmonary edema (REPE) developed within 24 h of thoracentesis. Fisher's exact test was used to test the significance of the relationship between volume of fluid removed and evidence of REPE.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>A total of 1376 thoracenteses were performed among the patients included in the study. The mean volume of fluid removed among all procedures was 901.1 mL (SD = 641.7 mL), with 194 (14.1%) procedures involving the removal of ≥ 1,500 mL of fluid. In total, six (0.7%) patients developed signs of REPE following thoracentesis, five of which were a first-time thoracentesis. No statistically significant difference in incidence of REPE was observed between those with ≥ 1,500 mL of fluid removed compared to those with < 1,500 mL of fluid removed (p-value = 0.599).<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Large-volume thoracentesis may safely improve patients' symptoms while preventing the need for repeat procedures.