PleurX® Drainage Kit Sterile System for Patients Manage pleural effusions or malignant ascites outside of the hospital The PleurX® drainage system lets you take control of uncomfortable and painful symptoms from pleural effusions or malignant ascites. Pleural effusions – fluid buildup around your lungs that makes breathing difficult. Malignant ascites – fluid buildup in your abdomen that increases abdominal pressure and discomfort. A safe, proven option that more than 200,000 patients have used since 1997, the PleurX system helps you drain fluid buildup in the comfort of your own home, without the need for repeat doctor or hospital visits. How does the PleurX system work? The PleurX drainage system includes a drainage catheter and drainage bottles that collect fluid. The PleurX catheter is inserted, typically as a simple outpatient procedure, in the chest for draining pleural effusions or in the abdomen for draining malignant ascites. The end of the catheter stays outside of the body, hidden under a bandage when you are not draining. When you need to drain fluid, simply connect the end of the catheter to the drainage line on the collection bottle, following the directions for use, and the bottle will automatically draw out the fluid.* The PleurX catheter is inserted in the chest for draining pleural effusions. The end of the catheter is on the outside of the body, covered by a thin protective dressing while not in use. The PleurX catheter is inserted in the abdomen for draining malignant ascites. The protective dressing is virtually undetectable under clothing. For more information on the PleurX system and drainage, view our patient education brochure and learn how to drain at home. View all of our resources for patients. Frequently asked questions (FAQs) Q. What is malignant ascites? A. Malignant ascites is fluid buildup in your abdomen, which causes abdominal pressure and discomfort. Q. What are pleural effusions? Q. How can the PleurX system help me? Q. How do I get the PleurX system? Q. How does the PleurX system work? Q. How do I drain fluid myself? Q. Will people know I have a catheter? *Risks of the PleurX drainage system Chest: Potential complications of draining fluid from the chest include, but may not be limited to, pneumothorax, re-expansion pulmonary edema, hypotension, circulatory collapse and infection of the pleural space. Do not drain more than 1,000 mL of fluid from your chest at any one time. Abdomen: Potential complications of draining fluid from the abdomen include, but may not be limited to, hypotension, circulatory collapse, electrolyte imbalance, protein depletion, ascites leakage, peritonitis, wound infection and loculations of the peritoneal space. Do not drain more than 2,000 mL of fluid from your abdomen at any one time. The system is proven through: More than 15 years of clinical use Publication in more than 30 clinical journal articles* Use by oncology, thoracic surgery, pulmonology, interventional pulmonology and interventional radiology specialists to successfully treat patients with pleural effusions or malignant ascites It has achieved positive outcomes such as: Spontaneous pleurodesis in 46% of patients1 Rapid symptom relief Low infection rates (less than 3%)1,2,3 Fewer hospital visits for repeat paracentesis or thoracentesis It is easy to use and well accepted as: Patients can control their own drainage at home Physicians perform catheter placement—usually, as an outpatient procedure Active vacuum technology drains fluid quickly Medicare and many private insurance companies commonly reimburse the cost** Home health and hospice can utilize the system
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