Key result
Bilateral pleural effusion linked to ~132% higher 1-year mortality risk versus unilateral effusion following thoracentesis.
Why the study?
Mortality of patients with nonmalignant pleural effusions undergoing thoracentesis has not been well studied.
What is the short- and long-term mortality of patients undergoing thoracentesis for pleural effusion of various etiologies?
Cohort (n=308)
What is the short- and long-term mortality of patients undergoing thoracentesis for pleural effusion of various etiologies?
Hazard Ratio: 2.32 (95% CI 1.55–3.48)
Absolute Event Rate: 69% vs 36%
Patients undergoing thoracentesis for pleural effusion have high short- and long-term mortality, particularly those with malignant or bilateral effusions.
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High mortality after thoracentesis, especially malignant or bilateral effusions, warrants prognostic counseling; leaves open whether etiology-specific interventions improve outcomes.
DeBiasi et al. (2015) conducted a cohort in Pleural effusion (n=308). Bilateral pleural effusion vs. Unilateral pleural effusion was evaluated on 1-year mortality (HR 2.32, 95% CI 1.55-3.48). Bilateral pleural effusion was associated with a higher risk of 1-year mortality compared to unilateral effusion (69% vs 36%; HR 2.32, 95% CI 1.55-3.48) in patients undergoing thoracentesis.
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