SAFETY OF THORACENTESIS IN MECHANICALLY VENTILATED PATIENTS

As practicing intensivists, we frequently diagnose pleural effusions i n mechanically ventilated patients and routinely perform thoracentesis even when the patient is on positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). In light of a recent report, we have reviewed our experience. It is of interest that all thoracenteses were performed with patients in the l ateral decubitus position.