Pleural effusion

Measures to prevent primary causes of pleural effusion include: immunization against pneumococcal pneumonia; anticoagulation for patients at risk of pulmonary embolism; reducing the risk of heart disease.

Colchicine may help prevent early postoperative pleural and pericardial effusions after cardiac surgery.[14]Imazio M, Brucato A, Rovere ME, et al. Colchicine prevents early postoperative pericardial and pleural effusions. Am Heart J. 2011 Sep;162(3):527-32.e1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21884871?tool=bestpractice.com [15]Imazio M. Prevention of the postpericardiotomy syndrome, postoperative effusions, and atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery, efficacy and safety of colchicine: evidence from the COPPS trial and substudies [in Italian]. G Ital Cardiol (Rome). 2012 Oct;13(10):665-72. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23022970?tool=bestpractice.com

Recurrence of pleural effusion can be prevented by adequate treatment of the primary cause (e.g., heart failure, malignancy, or cirrhosis). Pleurodesis aims to definitively prevent re-accumulation of effusions.