Intrapleural Tissue Plasminogen Activator and Deoxyribonuclease Therapy Versus Early Medical Thoracoscopy for Treatment of Pleural Infection: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Intrapleural Tissue Plasminogen Activator and Deoxyribonuclease Therapy Versus Early Medical Thoracoscopy for Treatment of Pleural Infection: A Randomized Clinical Trial
The purpose of this prospective randomized clinical trial is to compare two currently accepted standard-of-care treatment strategies: Medical thoracoscopy as compared to instillation of intrapleural tissue Plasminogen Activator (TPA) and human recombinant Deoxyribonuclease (DNase) for the management of empyema or complicated parapneumonic effusion (CPPE) in adults.
Background: Pleural infection (empyema or complex parapneumonic effusion (CPPE)) represents one of the most common clinical diagnoses encountered in clinical practice in the United States (US) It is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality despite advances in medical diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Objective: Compare two standard of care treatments: TPA/DNase vs early medical Thoracoscopy
Methods: Investigators will conduct a prospective randomized clinical trial. Plan is to enroll total of 32 patients and randomize those patients to either Medical Thoracoscopy group or Fibrinolytic Therapy group.
Follow-up will be daily until hospital discharge and at 6 and 12 weeks in the outpatient setting
Potential Outcome and Benefit: Determine best strategy for treating patients with pleural infection
Inclusion Criteria:
Subjects >18 years old with:
Evidence of empyema or complex parapneumonic effusion
Exclusion Criteria:
Age <18 years Pregnancy Inability to give informed written consent Previous thoracic surgery or thrombolytic therapy for pleural infection Medical thoracoscopy cannot be performed within 48 hours Hemodynamic instability or severe hypoxemia Non corrected coagulopathy Homogeneously echogenic effusion on pleural ultrasonography