Key highlights From the American association for bronchology and interventional pulmonology evidence-informed guidelines and expert panel report for the management of indwelling pleural catheters

Malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) are associated with reduced survival and contribute to significant morbidity and burden on the health-care system. Although there are numerous MPE management strategies, such as pleurodesis and intermittent drainage via thoracentesis, indwelling pleural catheters (IPCs) have become an effective tool in both managing symptoms and reducing the need for hospitalization in the end-stages of life. The American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology (AABIP) recently had society-endorsed guidelines “AABIP Evidence-Informed Guidelines and Expert Panel Report for the Management of Indwelling Pleural Catheters”1 published in the Journal of Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology to address issues relevant to the postinsertion management of IPCs in MPEs.1 This commentary summarizes many of the key recommendations from the guidelines in a frequently-asked-questions format.