The PleurX™ Pleural Catheter System can be used instead of a chest tube, for post-surgical drainage, when performing talc poudrage pleurodesis procedures.6 If the patient does not pleurodese, the catheter can remain in the patient to drain, potentially avoiding further intervention.
true
- Overview
- Clinicians
- Patients
- Support
- Products & Accessories
- EIFU & Resources
The BD PleurX™ Catheter System is a proven solution for pleural drainage and has helped hundreds of thousands of patients go home with peace of mind.
Proven Product Performance
- Designed with active vacuum technology to help facilitate the drainage of pleural fluid, the PleurX™ Pleural Catheter System allows your patients to manage fluid from a pleural effusion at home.
- The PleurX™ Pleural Catheter System is indicated for the palliation of dyspnea due to pleural effusion and providing pleurodesis (resolution of the pleural effusion). *
- Comprehensive portfolio including placement trays, starter kits, drainage kits, and accessories.
Catheter placement is generally an oupatient procedure with no overnight stay and associated costs, aimed at achieving symptom relief.
In a clinical trial of patients with recurrent pleural effusions, 47% of patients achieved spontaneous pleurodesis with daily drainage.3
In a trial of patients with malignant pleural effusions who drained at least twice a week and received talc slurry via the PleurX™ Drainage Catheter, 51% achieved pleurodesis.4
The PleurX™ Pleural Catheter System is compatible with delivery of talc slurry or bleomycin in an outpatient pleurodesis procedure by using the catheter access kit.
A comprehensive care suite from prescription to ongoing support.
* The PleurX™ Pleural Catheter System is indicated for intermittent, long term drainage of symptomatic, recurrent, pleural effusion, including malignant pleural effusion and other recurrent effusions that do not respond to medical management of the underlying disease. The devices are indicated for the palliation of dyspnea due to pleural effusion and providing pleurodesis (resolution of the pleural effusion).
1 Wahidi MM, Reddy C, Yarmus L, et al. Randomized Trial of Pleural Fluid Drainage Frequency in Patients with Malignant Pleural Effusions: The ASAP Trial. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2017; 195(8):1050-1057.
2 Rajchgot J, Amjadi K. Use of a Novel, Shortened, Indwelling Pleural Catheter (PleurX) for the Ambulatory Management of Malignant Pleural Effusion: A Single Center Experience. J Bronchology Interv Pulmonol. 2022;29(4):244-247. doi:10.1097/LBR.0000000000000821
3 In a randomized, single blinded, multi-center clinical trial, among patients with recurrent pleural effusion, daily drainage resulted in approximately half (47%, n=73) of the patients achieving spontaneous pleurodesis with a mean time to catheter removal of 54 days.2
4 In a randomized, single blinded, multi-center trial, among patients with malignant pleural effusion with no substantial lung entrapment, 51% (n=69) of patients who received talc slurry had successful pleurodesis at day 70. Drainage was performed at least twice a week.5
5 Bhatnagar R, Keenan EK, Morley AJ, et al. Outpatient Talc Administration by Indwelling Pleural Catheter for Malignant Effusion. N Engl J Med. 2018;378:1313-1322. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1716883.
6 The poudrage should not be sprayed through the PleurX™ Catheter. Perform the procedure per the Talc instructions for use and your institutional protocol.
BD-149533
Clinicians
The PleurX™ Catheter System offers flexible treatment options through adaptable drainage protocols and combination therapies.
Catheter placement is generally an oupatient procedure with no overnight stay and associated costs, aimed at achieving symptom relief.
In a clinical trial of patients with recurrent pleural effusions, 47% of patients achieved spontaneous pleurodesis with daily drainage.1,2
In a trial of patients with malignant pleural effusions who drained at least twice a week and received talc slurry via the PleurX™ Drainage Catheter, 51% achieved pleurodesis.3,4
The PleurX™ Pleural Catheter System can be used instead of a chest tube, for post-surgical drainage, when performing talc poudrage pleurodesis procedures.5 If the patient does not pleurodese, the catheter can remain in the patient to drain, potentially avoiding further intervention.
The PleurX™ Pleural Catheter System is compatible with delivery of talc slurry or bleomycin in an outpatient pleurodesis procedure by using the catheter access kit.
Placement Video
ENGLISH
Drainage Video
ENGLISH
Resources and Support
Our Clinical Specialists and Patient Navigators are here to help you!
Our team of Clinical Specialists can provide product training and support for clinicians and work with Health Care Providers and clinical staff to streamline PleurX™ Pleural Catheter System paperwork and process flow to ensure eligible patients get the products they need.
Our Patient Navigators can work directly with patients to help identify a DME provider for the PleurX™ Pleural Catheter System drainage kits and direct your patient and their family to appropriate channels to answer product questions.
Patient Navigator
Call: 833.549.7677
Email: GMB-PLEURXPTNAV-US@bd.com
Sales Representative
Call: 844.823.5433
The Patient Navigators offer compassionate guidance and assistance with obtaining drainage kits.
Advocate for the patient
Help locate a supplier that accepts the patient’s insurance and provide the information to the patient
Work with the Home Health Agency to identify resources for Drainage Kits
Direct patient and family to appropriate channels to answer product questions
Invite eligible patients who are in financial need and lack insurance coverage for components of the system to participate in the BD-sponsored Patient Assistance Program
Call us today at 833.549.7677
BD Advance, a clinical training and education program, is committed to providing quality education to sustain the lifelong educational needs of healthcare professionals.
1 In a randomized, single blinded, multi-center clinical trial, among patients with recurrent pleural effusion, daily drainage resulted in approximately half (47%, n=73) of the patients achieving spontaneous pleurodesis with a mean time to catheter removal of 54 days.2
2 Wahidi MM, Reddy C, Yarmus L, et al. Randomized Trial of Pleural Fluid Drainage Frequency in Patients with Malignant Pleural Effusions: The ASAP Trial. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2017; 195(8):1050-1057.
3 In a randomized, single blinded, multi-center trial, among patients with malignant pleural effusion with no substantial lung entrapment, 51% (n=69) of patients who received talc slurry had successful pleurodesis at day 70. Drainage was performed at least twice a week.
4 Bhatnagar R, Keenan EK, Morley AJ, et al. Outpatient Talc Administration by Indwelling Pleural Catheter for Malignant Effusion. N Engl J Med. 2018;378:1313-1322. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1716883.
5 The poudrage should not be sprayed through the PleurX™ Catheter. Perform the procedure per the Talc instructions for use and your institution protocol.
Please consult product labels and instructions for use for indications, contraindications, hazards, warnings, and precautions.
BD-149533
The PleurX™ Pleural Catheter System is designed to allow you to manage fluid that has accumulated in your chest in the comfort of your home.
ENGLISH
Drainage Video
ENGLISH
While you have been trained by your doctor or nurse in the correct way to use the items in the drainage kit, we realize you may still have some questions.
The information below should provide answers to the most common questions about using the drainage kit. These questions and answers are also available in the Instructions for Use included with the drainage kit.
If you have any problems or additional questions about draining fluid, please refer to the Instructions for Use or contact your doctor or nurse.
A: You should drain fluid as directed by your doctor, usually every 1–2 days. Consult your doctor before changing the frequency of your drainage.
A: Notify your doctor if you continue to feel short of breath or experience discomfort. Do not drain more than 1,000 mL of fluid from your chest or 2,000 mL of fluid from your abdomen at any one time.
A: When you try to drain fluid three times in a row and each time less than 50 mL drains into the bottle, you should contact your doctor to find out if the catheter can be removed or if it needs to be replaced. (See next question.)
A: If the fluid goes away suddenly or if the amount of drainage gradually declines, it is possible that the catheter may be clogged. Squeeze the catheter and the drainage line gently. If the drainage does not begin, follow the instructions for changing to another bottle. If the drainage does not start when you use a second bottle, call your doctor.
If the amount of fluid gradually declines, the fluid may be drying up and it may be time for the catheter to be removed. Refer to the previous question, “When will I know if the catheter can be removed?”
A: The catheter will remain in your chest or abdomen until fluid stops draining. The amount of time will vary from patient to patient. Fluid buildup is not likely to stop in the abdomen, but may stop in the chest. The catheter may remain in place as long as you need it, and it continues to work properly.
A: Any change in the appearance of the fluid should be reported to your doctor.
A: Shower: You can take a shower or sponge bath if a self-adhesive dressing like the one in the Procedure Pack is securely attached to your skin and working properly. The self-adhesive dressing is designed to keep fluid out. Be sure the dressing is completely and securely attached and the catheter and gauze pads are all contained underneath it. If the gauze becomes wet when showering, remove the dressing immediately, clean and dry the area and apply a new dressing as instructed in the Instructions for Use that came with the drainage kit.
Bath: Do not allow the catheter to soak underwater in a tub, bath or pool.
A: In the unlikely event the catheter is pulled out or the cuff becomes exposed, cover the exit site with a sterile dressing and seek immediate medical attention. The catheter has a polyester cuff that is normally under the skin where the catheter is inserted. This cuff and the sutures—located where the catheter exits your body—help keep the catheter in place.
A: You should contact your doctor immediately if you believe your catheter is infected. Pain, redness (erythema), warmth to touch, swelling (edema), fever or fluid from around the catheter site may be a sign that your catheter is infected. Some discomfort and redness after insertion is expected but should not continue or worsen.
The PleurX™ app and our Patient Navigators
are great ways to support patients in their fluid management.
Please consult product labels and instructions for use for indications, contraindications, hazards, warnings, and precautions.
BD-149533
The PleurX™ Pleural Catheter System offers a variety of homecare kits, at-home educational resources, an app for tracking care, and a team of Patient Navigators.
Our Clinical Specialists and Patient Navigators are here to help you!
Our team of Clinical Specialists can provide product training and support for clinicians and work with Health Care Providers and clinical staff to streamline PleurX™ Pleural Catheter System paperwork and process flow to ensure eligible patients get the products they need.
Our Patient Navigators can work directly with patients to help identify a DME provider for the PleurX™ Pleural Catheter System drainage kits and direct your patient and their family to appropriate channels to answer product questions.
Patient Navigator
Call: 833.549.7677
Email: GMB-PLEURXPTNAV-US@bd.com
Sales Representative
Call: 844.823.5433
The Patient Navigators offer compassionate guidance and assistance with obtaining drainage kits.
Advocate for the patient
Help locate a supplier that accepts the patient’s insurance and provide the information to the patient
Work with the Home Health Agency to identify resources for Drainage Kits
Direct patient and family to appropriate channels to answer product questions
Invite eligible patients who are in financial need and lack insurance coverage for components of the system to participate in the BD-sponsored Patient Assistance Program
Call us today!
833.549.7677
BD is committed to helping patients with recurrent pleural effusions, malignant ascites or non-malignant ascites who are prescribed a PleurX™ Pleural Catheter System have access to drainage kits.
Our Patient Navigator team will help patients find DME suppliers or invite those who might qualify to apply for our BD-sponsored PleurX™ Pleural Catheter System Patient Assistance Program. BD wants to help ensure more patients have access to drainage kits who might not otherwise be able to obtain them.
Call us today at 833.549.7677
BD is the only provider to partner with Edgepark® who services 1,400 health plans so that clinical supplies can be delivered directly to patients' homes.*
*As of May 2025
BD Advance, a clinical training and education program, is committed to providing quality education to sustain the lifelong educational needs of healthcare professionals.
Please consult product labels and instructions for use for indications, contraindications, hazards, warnings, and precautions.
BD-149533
Sort by:
-
PleurX™ Pleural Catheter and starter kit
with four 1,000 mL bottles
-
PleurX™ Drainage Kit with 1,000 mL bottle
for use with the PleurX™ Catheter System or PeritX™ Catheter System
-
PleurX™ Drainage Kit with 500 mL bottle
for use with the PleurX™ Catheter System or PeritX™ Catheter System
-
Procedure Pack
for use with PleurX™ or PeritX™ Catheter Systems
-
Catheter Access Kit
for use with PleurX™ or PeritX™ Catheter Systems
-
Lockable Drainage Line Kit
Lockable drainage line available separately
-
PleurX™ supplemental insertion kit
for use with the PleurX™ Catheter System or PeritX™ Catheter System
-
Lockable Drainage Line
for use with the PleurX™ Catheter System or PeritX™ Catheter System
-
PleurX™ starter kit with four 1,000 mL bottles
for use with the PleurX™ Catheter System or PeritX™ Catheter System
true
Literature
Our collection of literature on industries and on our offerings gives you information you can use to continue striving for excellence.
Learn more
Events
We support the healthcare industry with market-leading products and services that aim to improve care while lowering costs. We host and take part in events that excel in advancing the world of health™.
Learn more
Training
BD has evolved its education platform to bring you the enhanced BD Learning Academy: a centralized repository of BD product training and education—available to you and your team anytime, anywhere—including in your LMS system.
Learn More
Case Studies
We promote clinical excellence by providing various resources on best practices, clinical innovations and industry trends in healthcare.
Learn more
true
PleurX™ Pleural Catheter System
Indications for Use:
The PleurX™ Pleural Catheter System is indicated for intermittent, long term drainage of symptomatic, recurrent, pleural effusion, including malignant pleural effusion and other recurrent effusions that do not respond to medical management of the underlying disease. The devices are indicated for the palliation of dyspnea due to pleural effusion and providing pleurodesis (resolution of the pleural effusion). The PleurX™ Pleural Catheter is indicated for adults only. The Lockable Drainage Line is used to drain fluid using standard wall suction, water seal drainage system, vacuum bottle, or other appropriate method.
Contraindications:
Use of the PleurX™ Pleural Catheter System is contraindicated in the following situations: 1. When there is a shift ≥2 cm in the mediastinum towards the ipsilateral side of the effusion. 2. When the pleural cavity is multi-loculated, and the drainage of a single loculation would not be expected to provide relief of dyspnea. 3. When there is a coagulopathy. 4. When the pleural cavity is infected. 5. When the effusion is known to be chylous. 6. When the patient is known or suspected to be allergic to materials contained in the device. The catheter insertion stylet is not designed for use in the arterial system or as a hemostatic device.
Warnings:
Do not put anything except the access tip of the Lockable Drainage Line, Catheter Access Kit, or PleurX™ Vacuum Bottles into the catheter valve since any other device could damage the valve. A damaged valve may allow air into the body or let fluid leak out through the valve when not draining. Do not place the PleurX™ Pleural Catheter into the peritoneal space as it could lead to misidentification of the catheter and/ or mistreatment of the patient.
Cautions: The fenestrations must be entirely within the pleural space to avoid leakage into the tunnel tract. Take patient size, tunnel length, and the catheter length into account when placing the catheter. Individuals with severe skin pathology overlying the favored implantation site (e.g. tumor invasion /psoriasis) should receive alternative treatment to relieve symptoms.
Please consult product labels and package inserts for indications, contraindications, hazards, warnings, cautions, and information for use.
BD-146404
true