Endobronchial valves with an airway blood patch for persistent air leaks

PATCHVALVE Trial: A Prospective Evaluation of Blood Patch and Endobronchial Valves for Persistent Air Leaks - Pilot Study

Not applicable Interventional Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · NCT07184528

This study will try combining an airway blood patch with endobronchial valves to stop persistent air leaks in adults who cannot or do not want surgery.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment20 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Academic / other
Locations1 site (Boston, Massachusetts)
Trial IDNCT07184528 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This prospective cohort enrolls adult patients with persistent air leaks who undergo bronchoscopy to locate the leak. The procedure pairs instillation of autologous blood (up to 30 mL) plus tranexamic acid (up to 10 mL) into the leaking airway, balloon occlusion for 3–5 minutes, and deployment of endobronchial valves as indicated. Investigators will track time to leak resolution, chest tube duration, length of stay, procedural complications, and readmissions. Consenting prospective participants will receive standard imaging and evaluations to guide treatment decisions.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults with persistent air leaks who are not candidates for surgery or who decline surgery and who can safely undergo bronchoscopy are the ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with bronchopleural fistula, those with contraindications to bronchoscopy or severe cardiovascular instability, or those who have received other investigational PAL treatments may not receive benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the combined technique could reduce chest tube time, shorten hospital stays, and lower the need for surgery in patients with persistent air leaks.

How similar studies have performed: Endobronchial valves and autologous blood patches have each shown promise for managing persistent air leaks, but their combined use is relatively new with limited published data.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
{Inclusion Criteria}

* Adult (≥18 years) patients who have been diagnosed with persistent air leaks (PALs) due to conditions such as alveolar-pleural fistulas following pulmonary resections, traumatic injury, or underlying lung disease or other cause.
* PAL patients who are deemed non-candidates for surgical intervention or have declined surgery.

{Exclusion Criteria}

* Patients who have received other experimental or investigational treatments for PALs that could confound the results.
* Patients with contraindications to undergoing bronchoscopy, such as severe cardiovascular instability, or those who cannot tolerate the procedure due to other medical reasons.
* Bronchopleural fistula

Where this trial is running

Boston, Massachusetts

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Persistent Air Leakspersistent air leaksEndobronchial ValvesSpiration Valve SystemEndobronchial Blood PatchIntrabronchial Valves
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.