title: Real-time ultrasound-guided thoracentesis.
abstract: Clinicians commonly see patients with pleural effusions requiring thoracentesis. The latest evidence-based guidelines for thoracentesis recommend real-time ultrasound guidance for the safest outcomes from this procedure. This article reviews real-time ultrasound guidance for thoracentesis to help referring clinicians understand the technique and the guidelines for the performance of thoracentesis.
authors.affiliation: Rachel Krackov is an independent researcher, registered vascular specialist, and PA educator in point-of-care ultrasound in Orlando, Fla. Denise Rizzolo is an assistant clinical professor in the Pace completion program in New York City, and an associate professor in the PA program at Kean University in Union, N.J. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Krackov
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rizzolo
mesh_terms: D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D061765:Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010994:Pleura / Q000473:pathology*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000473:pathology*; D000069258:Thoracentesis / Q000379:methods*; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods