When Fluid Fills the Lungs: Understanding and Treating Pleural Effusion

Lung Mia Garnsey

What Are the Types of Pleural Effusion?

There are two major types of pleural effusion; transudative or exudative.

Transudative Pleural Effusions

This is a type of pleural effusion that occurs when fluid leaks into the pleural space because of elevated pressure in the blood vessels.

You may experience transudative pleural effusion if you:

Have congestive heart failure
Have malnutrition due to low albumin levels in the blood
Have kidney disease
Have cirrhosis [4]
Have just started peritoneal dialysis

Exudative Effusions

This is a type of pleural effusion that occurs when accumulation of fluid is due to:

Inflammation
Infection
Tumors
A lung injury

Conditions that can cause this type of pleural infusion include:

Tuberculosis [5]
Hemothorax, when blood collects in the pleural cavity
Inflammatory conditions, such as pancreatitis, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis [6]
Cancer
Complications from heart surgery
Chylothorax, which results from an obstruction in the lymph vessels
Pneumonia

Certain conditions like pulmonary embolism can cause either exudate or transudate pleural effusion.

Mia Garnsey December 14, 2023

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