Pleuroperitoneal shunting for intractable cardiogenic pleural effusions

摘要

A 72-year-old man underwent post-infarction ventricular septal defect repair. Postoperatively, he required prolonged ventilation and could not be weaned from positive-pressure-assisted ventilation because of intractable bilateral pleural effusions. Conservative therapy was ineffective. After instituting pleuroperitoneal shunting, the patient could be weaned easily from a respirator.