Inserting Chest Tubes

Question 1

What are the possible complications resulting from a chest tube insertion?

Answer 1

BLOISTR

Bleeding
Local infection and empyema
Organ perforation
Intercostal neuralgia
Subcutaneous emphysema
Tube blockage
Reexpansion pulmonary edema

Question 2

Clinical judgment

What is a reasonable INR prior to doing an invasive procedure on a patient OUTSIDE of the ICU?

Answer 2

< 1.7

[From Phani Kantamneni]