Evaluating saline irrigation for treating retained pleural infections

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This pilot clinical trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of saline irrigation as an adjunct therapy for patients with retained pleural infections. It involves a two-arm design where one group receives standard care, including antibiotics and chest tube placement, while the other group receives saline irrigation in addition to standard care. The study will measure outcomes such as the reduction in pleural effusion volume using imaging techniques. The hypothesis is that saline irrigation could enhance the effectiveness of intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy in these patients.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥18 years.
* Presence of purulent pleural fluid or pleural fluid analysis with any of the following:
* pH ≤ 7.2.
* Glucose \< 40 mg/dL.
* LDH \> 1000 IU/L.
* Presence of bacterial or fungal organisms on Gram stain or culture.
* Chest tube placement with less than 200 mL drainage in 24 hours.
* Indication for IPFT treatment based on treating physician's criteria.
* Radiographic evidence of septations on chest ultrasound (US) or loculations on low-dose chest computed tomography (CT).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Inability to provide informed consent.
* Pregnant patients.
* Patients with significant comorbidities that may interfere with the study -outcomes (e.g., terminal malignancy).
* Complicated sympathetic effusion.
* Hepatic hydrothorax.

Where it's running

• Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
  Boston, Massachusetts, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Adnan Majid, MD — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
• Study coordinator: Adnan Majid, MD
• Email: amajid@bidmc.harvard.edu
• Phone: 6179016430

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Diagnosing malignant pleural effusion with the EPISEEK-MPE liquid biopsy

  A test called EPISEEK-MPE is being checked to see if it can tell cancer from non-cancer pleural effusions using fluid already removed for care.

  Recruiting at 2 sites University of Arizona · Tucson, Arizona and 1 other locations · NCT07929584

• Once-daily intrapleural enzyme treatment for complicated pleural infections

  This will see if giving tPA and DNase once a day through a chest tube works as well as giving them twice a day for people with complicated pleural infections.

  Recruiting at 11 sites Phase 4 University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · Little Rock, Arkansas and 10 other locations · NCT07095361

• Using the Lung Sliding Index to distinguish common lung diseases

  This project will test whether the Lung Sliding Index (LSI) measured by bedside ultrasound can tell apart various lung conditions in adults with lung disease and in healthy volunteers.

  Recruiting Assiut University · Asyut · NCT06983366

• Saline flushing of the pleural space using a new irrigation device

  This pilot tests whether flushing the pleural space with sterile saline using the CLR irrigator can help clear retained infected pleural fluid in patients who cannot receive standard intrapleural enzyme therapy.

  Recruiting Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · Boston, Massachusetts · NCT06727578

• Evaluating ultrasound-guided pleural drainage in ICU patients with respiratory failure

  This study is testing if using ultrasound to help drain fluid from the lungs can improve the health of adults in the ICU who are struggling to breathe.

  Recruiting at 4 sites Aalborg University Hospital · Aalborg and 5 other locations · NCT06709456

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.