Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-2012

Abstract

Background and objective: Drainage of the pleural space is a common procedure.The safety of chest tube insertion in patients using clopidogrel has not been investigated.

Methods: Ultrasound-guided chest tube insertions performed on 24 patients who were being actively treated with clopidogrel were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: No excessive bleeding occurred in any of these patients.

Conclusions: Given the known effects of clopidogrel on platelet function, these results were interpreted as indicating that clopidogrel therapy is a relative but not an absolute contraindication to chest tube insertion, if an experienced operator places a small-bore tube under ultrasound guidance.

Comments

The version of record is available at https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1843.2012.02230.x.

Copyright © 2012 The Authors. Respirology © 2012 Asian Pacific Society of Respirology. All rights reserved.

COinS