Korean J Med.  2011 Aug;81(2):161-166.

Pleural Effusion in Cardiovascular Disease

• Lee JH
• Koo BK

Abstract

There are many different diseases that can be associated with pleural effusion and cardiovascular disease is one of them. As the management of secondary pleural effusion is guided mainly by its etiology, it is important to identify the cause of pleural effusion. Major cause of pleural effusion due to cardiovascular disease is congestive heart failure, and diagnosis can be easily made by clinical features without diagnostic thoracentesis. Pulmonary thromboembolism, post-coronary artery bypass surgery, post-cardiac injury syndrome and superior vena cava obstruction are also considered as possible causes of pleural effusion in undiagnosed cases. Knowing certain characteristics of these pleural effusions in cardiovascular disease is helpful to identify the underlying causes and also helpful in the management of these conditions.

Keyword

Pleural effusion; Cardiovascular disease

MeSH Terms

Arteries
Cardiovascular Diseases
Heart Failure
Pleural Effusion
Pulmonary Embolism
Superior Vena Cava Syndrome