Table 2

Baseline indices of gas exchange prior to drainage of pleural effusion

Control groupDrain groupp Value*
PaO2/FiO2 ratio (kPa)36.21±11.29
N=82
31.01±8.92
N=52
0.002
Oxygenation index (kPa/cm H2O)3.60±1.75
N=75
2.88±1.10
N=40
0.019
Ventilation index (cm H2O kPa/min)13.87±5.38
N=45
20.15±8.85
N=30
0.012
  • Data displayed as mean±SD of N observations.

  • *Determined by unpaired Student t test.

  • FiO2, fractional inspired oxygen; PaO2, arterial oxygen tension.