!!! New Study Publication!!!
"Active Chest Tube Clearance Added to an Enhanced Recovery After Cardiac Surgery (ERAS) Program Improves Outcomes and Reduces Resource Utilization"

Adding PleuraFlow’s Active Chest Tube Clearance (ATC) to an ERAS cardiac surgery program reduced Retained Blood Syndrome by 41%, postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) by 17%, and ICU time by 30% in 684 patients compared to 650 controls, improving outcomes and resource utilization. (Gerdisch, et al, 2025)

Education

CE Course

Learning Outcomes

  • Identify the incidence and features of chest tube clogging in cardiac surgical patients
  • Describe potential short and long-term adverse outcomes associated with clogged tubes and Retained Blood Syndrome (RBS)
  • Review the evidence behind strategies used to promote chest tube patency
  • Discuss the role of Active Clearance Technology in maintaining chest tube patency and its impact on patient outcomes

Optimizing Chest Drainage After Cardiac Surgery: An Evidence-Based Approach

Take part in the CE course to learn more about chest tube occlusion and retained blood, plus learn important strategies to prevent or minimize chest tube occlusion with clot following cardiac surgery. A patent chest tube enables evacuation of blood and fluid from the operative site after closure of the surgical wound and reduces retained blood.

Approx 45 minTake the free CE course

Clinical Training

Learn More About Enhancing Outcomes for Cardiothoracic Patients

ClearFlow is advocating for the establishment of Standards and Guidelines to encourage active maintenance of chest tube patency in the first 24 hours post-surgery. To that end, we’ve developed clinical training and educational programs intended to help improve outcomes and promote healing in your cardiothoracic surgery patients.

Clinical Training Materials

PleuraFlow Active Clearance Technology

Learn how the PleuraFlow System is used in the OR and in the ICU following cardiothoracic surgery.

Download Training Materials

OR Training ICU Training ICU Training Worksheet

Webinars

Clinical and Educational Webinars

Clinical Webinar

Avoiding Chest Drain Occlusion to Prevent Inflammatory Consequences of Retained Blood in Cardiac Surgery

A. Marc Gillinov, MD, Department Chairman, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, presents "The importance of avoiding chest drain occlusion to prevent the inflammatory consequences of retained blood after cardiac surgery."

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Webinar 1

Active Clearance of Chest Drains Reduces Pleural Effusions and ICU Resources in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

Dr. Yvon Baribeau, Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Catholic Medical Center, NH, presents and discusses the results from their clinical trial titled: "Active Clearance of Chest Drains Reduces Pleural Effusions and ICU Resources in patients undergoing Cardiac Surgery" (ML246-A)

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Webinar 2

Post-Operative Atrial Fibrillation after Cardiac Surgery: Potential Pericardial Contributors

Dr. Spencer Melby, Cardiac Surgeon at Barnes Jewish Hospital, Washington Univ. St. Louis and Chief of Cardiac Surgery at the VA Hospital in St. Louis, presents his latest findings regarding his ongoing research into POAF following cardiac surgery and how to minimize and/or prevent this common complication of cardiothoracic surgical procedures.

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Webinar 3

Active Clearance of Chest Tubes in Cardiac Surgery

Dr. Marc Gillinov, Chair of Cardiothoracic Surgery at The Cleveland Clinic discusses postoperative complications associated with inadequate drainage of blood and fluids from around the heart and lungs following heart surgery.

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