Collections of fluid around the lung (pleural effusions) are common in patients on mechanical ventilation. Long stays on mechanical ventilation can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The drainage of pleural effusions may lead to improvements in oxygenation making it easier to discontinue mechanical ventilation. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of thoracocentesis (pleural fluid drainage) on blood oxygenation over a 48 hour period to see whether the effects are sustained and therefore helpful in this discontinuation.
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The ratio of Partial pressure of oxygen to inspired concentration of oxygen (P:F ratio)
Timeframe: pre-procedure, 30 minutes, 4,8,24 and 48 hours post procedure