{"id":955,"date":"2009-10-10T07:58:01","date_gmt":"2009-10-10T12:58:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/heart-surgery-blog\/2009\/10\/10\/pleural-effusion-drain-valve-replacement-repair-symptoms\/"},"modified":"2026-02-23T15:13:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T20:13:09","slug":"pleural-effusion-drain-valve-replacement-repair-symptoms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/heart-surgery-blog\/2009\/10\/10\/pleural-effusion-drain-valve-replacement-repair-symptoms\/","title":{"rendered":"“Are Pleural Effusions Common After Heart Valve Surgery?” Asks Jan"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jan just sent me an interesting email about pleural effusions and heart valve surgery.<\/p>\n

In her note, Jan writes, “Dear Adam, I am the caregiver of my 59-year old brother who had aortic valve replacement<\/a> (with a bovine valve) at Vanderbilt University Hospital.\u00a0 The valve itself has done okay but he has been in-and-out of the hospital twice since surgery. Fluid continues to collect between his chest wall and right lung. The fluid has been drained twice. Is this common? Thanks, Jan”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Pleural<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

It sounds to me like Jan’s brother is experiencing a post-operative complication<\/a> known as a pleural effusion.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

According to The Cleveland Clinic, a pleural effusion, sometimes referred to as \u201cwater on the lungs,\u201d is the build-up of excess fluid between the layers of the pleura outside the lungs. The pleura are thin membranes that line the lungs and the inside of the chest cavity and act to lubricate and facilitate breathing.<\/p>\n

The common symptoms of pleural effusions after heart valve surgery are:<\/p>\n