open menu

Understanding pleural effusions

Pleural effusions happen when too much 
fluid builds up in the space around the 
lungs. This extra fluid can press on the 
lungs and weigh down the diaphragm, 
making it hard to take a full breath.1,2

Pleural effusions can happen in people with 
cancer, heart or kidney failure, liver disease, 
or inflammatory conditions.1,2

Pleural effusions can cause1,2

  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest tightness or pressure
  • Sharp pain when breathing in
  • Persistent cough
  • Fatigue

A vicious cycle

For some people with pleural effusions, the fluid returns to the lungs even after it’s been drained. Sometimes fluid comes back every 1 or 2 weeks.1-4 When pleural fluid keeps coming back, people may need procedure after procedure to drain it.2,4 This cycle of repeat treatments can be exhausting—physically and emotionally.
  • Breathlessness
  • Chest tightness
  • Medical visit
  • Fluid drainage

Hear how ACES™ has made breathing easier 
for people living with recurrent pleural effusions

WATCH NOW

Freedom from painful, repeat procedures

Pleurodesis is a procedure that uses medication (chemical sclerosing agents) to seal the space around the lungs. It usually requires pain medication and an extended hospital stay.2 This can sometimes provide a long-term solution. However, pleurodesis isn’t an option for all patients—in fact, pleurodesis can have a 30% failure rate.5

Indwelling pleural catheters (IPCs) are tubes placed in the chest with a small opening that stays outside the body 
so fluid can be drained at home.2,4

IPCs require frequent drainage using vacuum bottles and often needs support from home healthcare. It can also increase the risk of infection.2,4,5

Learn why ACES may be a better choice 
for managing pleural effusions

LEARN MORE

Typical treatments for chronic pleural effusions are pleurodesis and indwelling pleural catheters (IPCs). Pleurodesis is a procedure that uses a chemical to cause scarring and prevent fluid from building up in the pleural space.1 It can cover a permanent solution but is a painful procedure that requires a hospital stay.2 It is not appropriate for many patients. Indwelling Pleural Catheters (IPCs) are implanted catheters that have an externalized port to allow drainage of pleural effusions.3 This method requires regular drainage into single-use vacuum bottles, which often requires home healthcare assistance. IPCs have a high risk of infection and symptoms may return between drainage.4 The ACES device allows you to live your life more freely than other options. The ACES device is implanted in a short procedure with a brief hospital stay. There are no external catheters to drain or drainage bottles to manage and no restrictions on things like swimming or bathing.

1. Ali M, et al. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025.

2. www.cancercenter.com/treatment-options/pleurodesis. 2025.

3. www.thoracic.org/ patients/patient-resources/resources/indwelling-tunneled-pleural-catheters. Patient Education | Information Series. 2025.

4. Lui, Complications of indwelling pleural catheter use and their management, BMJ 2015.

The surgeon will make three incisions in the side of your chest, one for the pump and the others for the abdominal catheter. The implant procedure typically takes about an hour and is done under general anesthesia with a short hospital stay.

The pump incision may be tender for a few days. Some people have ongoing discomfort at the pump site that may require pain medication. Speak to your physician if you experience persistent pain.

When the fluid from your chest is pumped into the abdomen, it is safely resorbed by the body.

 

The ACES is a low-profile device that you will be able to feel under the skin so you can pump it if needed. It is implanted in an area that is typically not bothersome. Most patients do not report any discomfort.

Risks include injury to lung, liver or bowel during implantation that can cause bleeding, air leaking out of your lung, or air and bacteria leaking out of your bowel. These would likely require additional treatment and a hospital stay. While the ACES is a low-maintenance option for patients, it is possible for the ACES to become clogged and stop working or become damaged; that fluid may again build up in your chest or begin to build up in your abdomen; that fluid may leak out of the incisions; that the incisions may become infected or that you could develop an infection in your chest or abdomen. Most of these issues can be easily resolved. Review the materials on caring for ACES carefully and contact your physician as directed.

Yes. Because ACES is fully internal, you can enjoy water activities once cleared by your doctor

This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your healthcare provider.

All medical procedures carry some risks and potential complications. Please discuss these in detail with your healthcare provider before making a decision.

References: 1. Shen-Wagner J, Gamble C, MacGilvray P. Pleural Effusion: Diagnostic Approach in Adults. Am Fam Physician. 2023 Nov;108(5):464-475. 2. American Thoracic Society. Indwelling tunneled pleural catheters (patient education information sheet). ATS Patient Information Series. 2019. Accessed December 8, 2025. https://craftprd1.blob.core.windows.net/documents/advocacy-patients/patient-resources/indwelling-tunneled-pleural-catheters.pdf craftprd1.blob.core.windows.net 3. Wright MJ, Nguyen PH, Backer ED, Goitein L, Feller-Kopman DJ. Recurrent malignant pleural effusion management: evaluating quality gaps, outcomes, costs, and adherence to guideline-consistent care. CHEST Pulmonary. 2025;(In press). 4. American Thoracic Society. Malignant pleural effusions (patient education fact sheet). ATS Patient Information Series. 2018. Accessed December 8, 2025. https://craftprd1.blob.core.windows.net/documents/advocacy-patients/patient-resources/malignant-pleural-effusions.pdf 5. Iyer NP, Reddy CB, Wahidi MM, Lewis SZ, et al. Indwelling pleural catheter versus pleurodesis for malignant pleural effusions. a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2019 Jan;16(1):124-131.

Start of the menu