Efficacy of autologous blood pleurodesis in patients with malignant pleural effusions

Abstract

The general objective was to evaluate the efficacy of autologous blood pleurodesis in patients with malignant pleural effusion in services of Thoracic Surgery and General Surgery of at the Autonomous Service “Hospital Central de Maracay”, in the period from July, 2023 to August, 2024. Materials and Methods, clinical-epidemiological research of descriptive, experimental, observational, prospective and longitudinal type. The population consisted of 100 patients with a diagnosis of pleural effusion, from which a sample of 21 patients was selected. Variables evaluated: age, sex, clinical manifestations, personal history, imagenology, cytological and anatomopathological diagnosis, side effects, post-procedure resolution and pleural catheter removal, as well as hospital stay. The results, Mean age: 64.90 years. The majority of patients were women. Dyspnea was the main clinical manifestation. Breast cancer was the predominant antecedent. Out of 21 patients, 18 of them had complete resolution of the pathology within the first 24 hours after the procedure, with no adverse effects and radiologically evident pulmonary expansibility. Pleural catheter removal and hospital discharge were early, within the first 24 and 72 hours respectively. In conclusion, Pleurodesis with autologous blood is presented as a fundamental therapeutic option, in view of being an innovative and effective technique for the treatment of these effusions, providing symptom relief and significant pulmonary expansibility, showing satisfactory results in a short period of time, for which we recommend its implementation, training of health personnel and studies to confirm the benefits and its cost-effectiveness evaluation.