Table 4.
Complications in patients with hematologic malignancies and indwelling pleural catheters
| Complication (n = 24) | No. of Patients (N = 172) | Percentage | Median Time (Minimum–Maximum) to Complication (d) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infection | 9 | 5.2 | 29 (8–102) |
| Exit site | 1 | 0.6 | 29 |
| Tunnel | 3 | 1.7 | 27 (8–41) |
| Empyema* | 5 | 2.9 | 35 (20–102) |
| Bleeding† | 5 | 2.9 | N/A |
| Minor | 2 | 1.2 | N/A |
| Major* | 3 | 1.7 | N/A |
| Pneumothorax*† | 1 | 0.6 | N/A |
| Catheter dislodgement* | 3 | 1.7 | 139 (2–162) |
| Catheter malfunction* | 4 | 2.3 | 23.5 (15–139) |
| Sedation-related issue† | 1 | 0.6 | N/A |
| Electrolyte depletion* | 1 | 0.6 | 322 |
Definition of abbreviation: N/A = not applicable.
*
Significant indwelling pleural catheter–related complications.
†
Pneumothorax and sedation-related issues only occurred at the time of insertion. Bleeding occurred at the time of insertion or removal of indwelling pleural catheter.