TRANSUDATIVE EFFUSIONS

Transudative pleural effusions develop because the distribution of hyd rostatic and oncotic pressure across the pleura is altered, so that th e rate of pleural fluid formation exceeds that of its reabsorption, Th ey are characterized by a low cell and protein content, Congestive hea rt failure is the most common cause of transudative effusion, The flui d that accumulates in a hepatic hydrothorax, urinothorax, during perit oneal dialysis, and in many patients with nephrotic syndrome may also have the characteristics of a transudate. The development of a transud ative effusion indicates that the pleural membranes per se are intact, so that if the underlying problem can be corrected, the effusion will be reabsorbed.