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.
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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
Timeframe: 15 minutes after therapeutic thoracentesis