Treatment options for patients with recurrent, symptomatic pleural effusions secondary to heart failure

Pleural effusions are a common finding in the nearly six million Americans diagnosed with heart failure. This review focuses on the historical, present and potential future trends in the management of such benign pleural effusions.

The management of symptomatic pleural effusions, in general, and in heart failure, specifically, has evolved in the last two decades. With more options, the treatment is often individualized for patients. Newer forms of therapy are also less invasive, resulting in less procedural morbidity, recuperation and cost.

The majority of patients with a pleural effusion resulting from heart failure will resolve their symptoms with medical therapy. Patients who experience symptoms from reaccumulation of their effusion have a selection of treatment options that can be individualized based on the patient's prognosis, functional status, need for future intervention and desires.