Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: * Adult patients age \>18 years and. * Clinical diagnosis of acute decompensated heart failure with at least one clinical sign of volume overload (e.g., peripheral edema, pleural effusion, or ascites) and * Assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by echocardiography performed during the time of index hospitalization or within 3 months prior to enrollment and. * Radiographic evidence of moderate to large pleural effusion, defined as pleural fluid occupying more than 1/3rd of the hemithorax on chest X-ray. Exclusion Criteria: * Clinical indication for diagnostic thoracentesis - Presence of fever, clinical signs of infection, or atypical pleural effusion for CHF (unilateral left-sided effusion, findings suggestive of malignancy, infection, or alternative etiologies) or. * Loculated pleural effusion - Evidence of loculated pleural effusion on thoracic ultrasound, as defined as the presence of septations or complex homogenous echogenic fluid (see Imaging Assessment section) or. * Clinical indication for therapeutic thoracentesis - Presence of massive pleural effusion with acute respiratory failure requiring positive pressure ventilation, high-flow oxygen therapy (\>15 liters per minute of flow), or tension hydrothorax (massive effusion with mediastinal shift and hemodynamic compromise) or. * Contraindication to thoracentesis, uncontrolled bleeding diathesis, or irreversible INR \> 2.0 and platelet count \<50,000 or. * Patient with mechanical mitral valve, where anticoagulation cannot be safely held or. * Pleural procedure, such as but not limited to thoracentesis, chest tube placement, or thoracoscopy, within 3 months prior to enrollment or. * Cardiac or thoracic surgery within 3 months prior to enrollment or. * Requirement for chronic renal replacement therapy, such as hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis or. * Pregnancy or * Inability or unwillingness to provide informed consent, or current incarceration (prisoners).