Short Duration High Intensity Intrapleural Alteplase With Pulmozyme in Pleural Infection Management

Short Duration High Intensity Intrapleural Alteplase With Pulmozyme (DNase) in Pleural Infection Management- Single Centre Experience

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of the modified regimen short duration intrapleural 16mg alteplase (Actilyse, Boehringer Ingelheim) with 5mg DNase (Pulmozyme Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd) in patients with pleural infection.

The regimen 10 mg alteplase and 5 mg DNase twice daily that was used in MIST-2 trial is still an empiric choice. The rationale of using 3 doses of 16 mg alteplase dose (with supplementary 5 mg DNase) in our study was governed by the formulation of alteplase in our country (50 mg per ampoule); hence, it is best used within 24 hours following reconstitution as its biochemical stability up to 24 hours as assessed by in vitro clot lysis assays.

Inclusion Criteria:

• adult patient with age more than 17 year old
• evidence of complex parapneumonic effusion or empyema; with poor pleural fluid drainage of ≤150 mL after 24 hours of insertion of chest drain
• clinical evidence of infection such as fever and or elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) or white-cell count
• complex pleural effusion proven by ultrasound
• pleural fluid analysis that fulfilled at least one of the characteristics: frank pus, exudative nature (according to light's criteria), gram stain or culture positive, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) > 1000 U/L, pH < 7.2 and/or glucose level < 3.3mmol/L

Exclusion Criteria:

• known allergy to pulmozyme or alteplase
• acute stroke, active bleeding diathesis
• major surgery in past 5 days
• previous pneumonectomy on the infected side
• bronchopleural fistula
• pregnancy
• coagulopathy (INR > 2, APTT >100, platelet count < 50,000 cells)