Characteristics and clinical implications of pleural effusions after lung transplantation: A retrospective analysis of 195 thoracocenteses in 113 patients

Despite advances in lung transplantation (LTx), morbidity, and mortality are high. We hypothesized that pleural effusions requiring thoracocentesis lead to poor outcomes after LTx. performed a single-center retrospective analysis of thoracocenteses initial hospital discharge LTx patients between March 2008 September 2020 identify risk factors, etiologies, outcomes. Of the 1223 included, 113 (9.2%) required total 195 thoracocenteses. The cumulative incidence was 10.6% at 1 year 14.2% 5 years transplantation. observed bimodal distribution effusion onset with threshold 6 months. Late-onset were mostly malignant or cardiac origin. high rate nonspecific (41.5%) irrespective timepoint post-transplantation. Patients late-onset had significantly lower survival compared matched controlled group (HR 2.43; 95% CI (1.27–4.62). All pulmonary function parameters decreased controls. Male sex re-transplantation factors for effusions. In conclusion, occur frequently reduced long-term allograft function. associated survival.