Which condition is a common cause of transudative pleural effusion?

Which condition is a common cause of transudative pleural effusion?

• A. Congestive Heart Failure
• B. Malignant Pleural Effusion
• C. Pneumonia
• D. Tuberculosis

Answer: (A)

Transudative pleural effusions come from systemic pressure or oncotic changes that push fluid into the pleural space without causing pleural inflammation. The most common situation is congestive heart failure, where left-sided heart failure raises the hydrostatic pressure in pulmonary capillaries. That increased pressure drives fluid out into the interstitial and pleural spaces, yielding an effusion that is low in protein and LDH and lacks a strong inflammatory component. This contrasts with exudative effusions, which arise from inflammation, infection, or malignant involvement of the pleura and therefore have higher protein and LDH. Pneumonia and tuberculosis are classic exudates due to infection and pleural inflammation, while malignant effusions also tend to be exudative. Therefore congestive heart failure is the common cause of transudative pleural effusion.

Transudative pleural effusions come from systemic pressure or oncotic changes that push fluid into the pleural space without causing pleural inflammation. The most common situation is congestive heart failure, where left-sided heart failure raises the hydrostatic pressure in pulmonary capillaries. That increased pressure drives fluid out into the interstitial and pleural spaces, yielding an effusion that is low in protein and LDH and lacks a strong inflammatory component. This contrasts with exudative effusions, which arise from inflammation, infection, or malignant involvement of the pleura and therefore have higher protein and LDH. Pneumonia and tuberculosis are classic exudates due to infection and pleural inflammation, while malignant effusions also tend to be exudative. Therefore congestive heart failure is the common cause of transudative pleural effusion.