Why the study?
Does video-assisted thoracoscopy with mechanical pleurodesis and decortication treat recurrent amiodarone-induced pleural effusion in a patient who cannot discontinue amiodarone therapy?
Does video-assisted thoracoscopy with mechanical pleurodesis and decortication treat recurrent amiodarone-induced pleural effusion in a patient who cannot discontinue amiodarone therapy?
Video-assisted thoracoscopy with pleurodesis and decortication is a viable definitive treatment option for recurrent amiodarone-induced pleural effusion when amiodarone cannot be discontinued.
May support VATS pleurodesis for refractory unilateral amiodarone effusion; hypothesis-generating and should not yet change practice.
53-year-old male with recurrent right pleural effusion secondary to chronic use of amiodarone. The patient required multiple thoracenteses, and despite amiodarone dose reduction effusion recurred. Video-assisted thoracoscopy with unilateral mechanical pleurodesis and decortication were done, with complete resolution and no recurrence of the effusion even with the amiodarone on board. Surgical approach for unilateral pleural effusion due to amiodarone that is resistant to the standard treatment, may be a strategy in patients where amiodarone cannot be discontinued.
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Cedano et al. (2026) studied this question.
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