Background: Recurrent pleural effusions are a major cause of morbidity and frequently lead to hospitalization. Indwelling pleural catheters (IPCs) are tunneled catheters that allow ambulatory intermittent drainage of pleural fluid without repeated thoracentesis. Despite the efficacy and safety of IPCs, data supporting postplacement follow-up is limited and variable. Our study aims to characterize the impact of a dedicated pleural clinic (PC) on patient outcomes as they relate to IPCs.
Methods: Patients who underwent IPC placement between 2015 and 2021 were included in this retrospective study. Differences in outcomes were analyzed between patients with an IPC placed and managed by Interventional Pulmonology (IP) through the PC and those placed by non-IP services (non-PC providers) before and after the PC implementation.
Results: In total, 371 patients received IPCs. Since the implementation of the PC, there was an increase in ambulatory IPC placement (31/133 pre-PC vs. 96/238 post-PC; P =0.001). There were fewer admissions before IPC placement (18/103 vs. 43/133; P =0.01), and fewer thoracenteses per patient (2.7±2.5 in PC cohort vs. 4±5.1 in non-PC cohort; P <0.01). The frequency of pleurodesis was higher in the PC cohort (40/103 vs. 41/268; P <0.001). A Fine and Gray competing risks model indicated higher likelihood of pleurodesis in the PC cohort (adjusted subhazard ratio 3.8, 95% CI: 2.5-5.87).
Conclusion: Our experience suggests that the implementation of a dedicated PC can lead to improved patient outcomes including fewer procedures and admissions before IPC placement, and increased rates of pleurodesis with IPC removal.
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