Heimlich Valve (Chest Tube)

What is the Heimlich valve?

A Heimlich valve is a one-way valve used with a chest tube to drain fluid, clots, and air from your chest. It stops air from coming into your chest through the tube when you breathe in. The valve may be attached to a plastic bag to collect fluid.

When is a Heimlich valve used?

A Heimlich valve is used when fluid and air need to be drained from the chest. For example, it may be used if you have a collapsed lung. A collapsed lung, or pneumothorax, happens when air enters the space between the rib cage and one of your lungs. The air pushes on part or all of the lung, causing it to collapse. It is then hard to breathe and your body gets less oxygen. If not treated, the air can also push on your heart and cause life-threatening problems.

Insertion of a chest tube and Heimlich valve is often an emergency procedure.

What happens during the procedure?

• You will be given a local anesthetic to numb the area where the chest tube will be placed.
• Your healthcare provider inserts the chest tube in the middle of your chest in a space between your ribs.
• The Heimlich valve is attached to the chest tube.

What happens after the procedure?

You may be given pain medicine after the procedure. The chest tube and Heimlich valve stay in place until you no longer need them.

What are the benefits of this procedure?

A Heimlich valve can be used instead of more cumbersome methods to drain your chest cavity. The advantages of a Heimlich valve are:

• It decreases discomfort.
• It makes it easier to clear mucus and secretions from your chest.
• Because you can carry the container collecting the drainage, the Heimlich valve allows you to be mobile.
• You may be able to stay in the hospital a shorter time.

What are the risks associated with the procedure?

Risks associated with a chest tube include:

• You may have an infection or bleeding.
• You may have an allergic reaction.

How can I take care of myself when I go home?

• Wash the chest tube insertion site with mild soap and water according to your provider’s instructions. You will need to wash it at least every other day. You may need to wash it more often if there is drainage around the site.
• Except when you are washing the area, keep the valve and area around the chest tube dry. Do not soak in a bathtub or hot tub and do not go swimming while you have the chest tube or before your incisions are healed. If you take a shower, put a waterproof dressing over the chest tube, valve, and insertion site. You may need to cover the area with plastic wrap taped down on all edges to keep water out.
• You will be shown how to put a split gauze bandage around the insertion site. If your skin has a reaction to the tape, ask your provider about products you can use to protect the skin. Put a new bandage on the site each day.
• If there is drainage from the valve, you can put gauze at the end of the valve to catch the drainage, but you need to make sure that air can escape from the valve.
• Tape the tube or valve to your skin below the insertion site. Make sure that there is no pulling or kinking of the chest tube.
• Do not block the tip of the valve with tape, an airtight dressing, or anything else.
• Do not clamp the chest tube unless your provider tells you to.
• Keep the connection between the chest tube and Heimlich valve taped securely.
• If the stitches holding the chest tube in place break, tape the tube to your skin and call your healthcare provider.
• Ask your healthcare provider about limits on how much weight you should lift. You may need to avoid lifting anything heavier than 5 to 10 pounds for a few weeks after insertion of the tube and valve.
• Do not put lotions, powders, or ointment on the area around the insertion site.
• Remember that noises such as fluttering or ducklike sounds from the valve are normal.
• Follow any other instructions your healthcare provider gives you. Keep all follow-up visits with your provider.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Call 911 or go to the emergency room if:

• You are having trouble breathing.
• You are feeling lightheaded.

Call your provider right away if:

• The valve gets detached from the chest tube.
• The chest tube accidentally falls out.
• You start having more pain.
• You have signs of infection in the area around the chest tube, such as more redness, warmth, foul-smelling or cloudy drainage, a lot of swelling and bleeding, or fever over 101.5° F (38.6° C).
• The amount of fluid draining from the valve increases.
• The color of the fluid draining from the valve changes.
• The stitches holding the tube and valve in place break.
• You have questions about how to care for your Heimlich valve.