Evaluating Thoracentesis with Medical Therapy for Acute Heart Failure Patients with Pleural Effusion

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to compare treatments for hospitalized patients with acute decompensated heart failure who have moderate to large pleural effusions. The study evaluates whether removing fluid around the lungs through a procedure called thoracentesis, combined with medical therapy, is better at relieving shortness of breath than medical therapy alone. The trial includes patients with both reduced and preserved heart pumping function, addressing a gap left by earlier studies. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either thoracentesis plus medical therapy or medical therapy alone. Thoracentesis involves removing pleural fluid, and medical therapy follows standard heart failure management. The study monitors effects on breathing difficulty, hospital stay length, survival without hospitalization up to 90 days, quality of life, readmission rates, and any complications from thoracentesis. During the study, participants will report their shortness of breath and quality of life using standard scales before and after treatment. Follow-up includes phone calls at days 14 and 30 to assess symptoms and quality of life. The main outcome measured is relief of dyspnea at 30 days, with additional monitoring for hospital-free days and mortality at 90 days. Safety and adverse events related to thoracentesis are tracked up to 30 days after enrollment.

DRAIN: DRainage in Acute Decompensated Heart faIlure With Pleural effusioNs