Purpose: The insertion of chronic indwelling drainage catheters for treatment of refractory ascites or hepatic hydrothorax in cirrhotic patients is controversial due to concerns related to infectious complications. PleurX drainage catheters are reported to have low infection rates due to their design and polyester cuff that promotes tissue ingrowth. The aim of the current study was to determine the 30 and 90-day mortality in cirrhotic patients with refractory non-malignant ascites or hepatic hydrothorax after placement of PleurX catheter. Methods: An interventional radiology database was queried for patients who underwent a PleurX catheter for indication of non-malignant refractory ascites or hepatic hydrothorax between the dates of January 1st, 2005 to January 1st, 2011 at a single transplant center. Medical records including the transplant database were reviewed by two of the study investigators. Demographics, laboratories, catheter related infectious morbidity, and mortality were collected. Results: A total of 26 patients with non-malignant ascites (n=16) and hepatic hydrothorax (n=10) underwent PleurX catheter insertion during the study period. The mean age was 57.1 ± 7.5 years and 61.5% were male. The mean MELD score was 21.7 ± 7.7 with majority of patients belonging to Child's - Pugh class C (69%). Follow up data was available for all the patients. The 30 and 90-day mortality in the study cohort was 30.8% and 61.5%, respectively. Two catheter related infections (8%) occurred within 30 days of insertion (Candida glabrata peritonitis and E. Coli sepsis). 69% (n=18) of the patients in the study cohort were transplant eligible and were being followed in the pretransplant clinic. The 30 and 90-day mortality in the study cohort was 27.8% and 66.7%, respectively. 11.1% of the patients were transplanted after insertion with an time to transplant of 107 ± 79.2 days. The two above-mentioned infections were within this group. In the remaining transplant non-eligible patients (n=8), PleurX was performed for palliation. The 30 and 90-day mortality was 37.5% and 50.0%, respectively. No catheter related infections were found in this subgroup. 4 patients survived to the end of the study period with average length of follow-up of 607 ± 128 days. Conclusion: Patients undergoing PleurX catheter drainage placement for refractory ascites and hepatic hydrothorax have high 30 day and 90-day mortality presumably from underlying liver disease. Due to low incidence of infectious complications, PleurX catheter could be an option when serial large volume paracentesis or transjugular intrahepatic shunts are not an option.