Pollak, J.S., Burdge, C.M., Rosenblatt, M., Houston, J.P., Hwu, W.J., & Murren, J. (2001). Treatment of malignant pleural effusions with tunneled long-term drainage catheters. Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology: JVIR, 12(2), 201-208.
The objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of tunneled pleural catheters in the treatment of malignant pleural effusions.
Initial enrollment of the first one-third of patients (n = 9) involved 2:1 randomization to the newly available and not U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-licensed PleurX® catheter or chest tube-administered chemical pleurodesis with doxycycline. The remaining 19 patients after October 1997 all were treated with the PleurX® catheter.
The study had a prospective convenience sample, with randomization of the initial one-third of patients. The study for the remaining two-thirds of the patients had a nonrandomized prospective design.
This small, single-site, prospective study of the effectiveness of tunneled pleural catheters showed effective pleural drainage, spontaneous pleurodesis equivalent to chest catheter pleurodesis, reduced days of hospitalization (as the procedure can be safely performed outpatient), reduced distressing symptoms, and rare complications.
Its use in patients with refractory effusions could be advantageous, as it represents patients who have received other therapies prior to catheter insertion. The average life expectancy of patients with malignant pleural effusions is only 6–12 months, with as many as half of patients dying within 30 days. Patients with malignant pleural effusions represent a group who experience significant symptoms that affect quality of life. Interventions that are low-intensity, can be performed quickly and with limited recovery time, and can be managed in the ambulatory or home setting are optimal. Nurses can act as advocates for innovative management of malignant pleural effusions that enhance patient independence. Nurses are key patient and family educators who provide guidance, support, and hands-on instruction in management of tunneled pleural catheters. Their follow-up with patients and caregivers assist in the detection of complications, as well as evaluation of efficacy. Follow-up nursing assessment for symptom relief and spontaneous pleurodesis or the need for additional interventions may be especially important for these patients receiving end-of-life care with limited contact with physicians.