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.
Mayo
Paul H
PH
Division of Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY 10003, USA. pmayo@bethisraelny.org
Goltz
Hayden R
HR
Tafreshi
Mehran
M
Doelken
Peter
P
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