Safety of ultrasound-guided thoracentesis in patients receiving mechanical ventilation.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the safety of ultrasound-guided thoracentesis (UST) performed by critical care physicians on patients receiving mechanical ventilation.


METHODS
Prospective and observational.


METHODS
ICUs in a teaching hospital.


METHODS
Two hundred eleven serial patients receiving mechanical ventilation with pleural effusion requiring diagnostic or therapeutic thoracentesis.


METHODS
Two hundred thirty-two separate USTs were performed by critical care physicians without radiology support. Anteroposterior chest radiographs were reviewed for possible postprocedure pneumothorax.


RESULTS
Pneumothorax occurred in 3 of 232 USTs (1.3%). The procedure was well tolerated in this critically ill population.


CONCLUSIONS
UST performed in patients receiving mechanical ventilation without radiology support results in an acceptable rate of pneumothorax.
Division of Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY 10003, USA. pmayo@bethisraelny.org
Paul H
PH
Mayo
Hayden R
HR
Goltz
Mehran
M
Tafreshi
Peter
P
Doelken
D006801:Humans; D019152:Paracentesis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional