Related Experiment Videos
Conservative management of persistent pleural effusion using somatostatin
Kiyoshi Haneda1, Yoshimi Shoji, Tsunenori Katakura
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Makabe Hospital, Yamoto, Miyagi, Japan. khaneda@itokukai.or.jp
Asian Cardiovascular & Thoracic Annals
|April 15, 2003
Summary
A persistent pleural effusion in an elderly man with heart failure was effectively managed using a somatostatin analog infusion. This treatment reduced significant daily fluid drainage unresponsive to conventional therapies.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonology
- Medical Therapeutics
Background:
- Elderly patients with acute pulmonary edema due to myocardial dysfunction can develop persistent pleural effusions.
- Managing large-volume, persistent pleural effusions poses a clinical challenge, often requiring invasive procedures.
Observation:
- An 81-year-old male presented with acute pulmonary edema and a persistent pleural effusion.
- Daily chest tube drainage ranged from 1,000 to 1,400 mL.
- Conventional treatments including total parenteral nutrition and albumin supplementation were ineffective.
Findings:
- Continuous infusion of a somatostatin analog was initiated to manage the refractory pleural effusion.
- The somatostatin analog infusion effectively controlled the significant daily fluid drainage.
Implications:
- Somatostatin analogs represent a potential therapeutic option for managing persistent, high-output pleural effusions in specific clinical scenarios.
- This case highlights a novel approach to refractory effusions, potentially reducing the need for more aggressive interventions.