Flushing chest drains to improve outcomes in pleural infections
Chest Drain Regular Flushing in Complicated Parapneumonic Effusions and Empyemas
This study is testing if flushing chest drains with saline every six hours can help people with serious lung infections recover faster and spend less time in the hospital.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 96 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Vanderbilt University Medical Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 5 sites (Sterling Heights, Michigan and 4 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06427538 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study evaluates the impact of regular saline flushing of chest drains in patients with complicated parapneumonic effusions and empyemas. It aims to determine whether this practice can reduce the time to chest tube removal, decrease total hospitalization duration, and improve imaging results and the need for further interventions. The study addresses a gap in existing research, as there have been no randomized controlled trials assessing the effectiveness of this flushing technique in managing pleural space infections. Participants will receive saline flushes every six hours to maintain tube patency and optimize drainage.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults over 18 with complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion or empyema requiring chest tube placement.
Not a fit: Patients with surgical tubes that cannot accommodate a three-way stopcock or those with indwelling pleural catheters will not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to improved recovery times and reduced hospital stays for patients with pleural infections.
How similar studies have performed: While there have been no randomized controlled trials specifically on this flushing technique, related studies suggest that flushing may improve drainage efficiency.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients with complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion and empyema requiring chest tube placement as standard of care for inpatient management of their pleural space infection with or without intrapleural tissue plasminogen activator and deoxyribonuclease therapy * Age \> 18 years old. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients who have surgical tubes that can't accommodate a three-way stopcock. * Study subject has any disease or condition that interferes with the safe completion of the study. * Inability to provide informed consent. * Inability to undergo a chest X-ray. * If the managing clinician believes the chest tube will be placed for less than 24 hours. * Patients with an indwelling pleural catheter (IPC)
Where this trial is running
Sterling Heights, Michigan and 4 other locations
- Henry Ford — Sterling Heights, Michigan, United States (Recruiting)
- Creighton University — Omaha, Nebraska, United States (Recruiting)
- Mount Sinai — New York, New York, United States (Recruiting)
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Nashville, Tennessee, United States (Recruiting)
- Virginia Commonwealth University — Richmond, Virginia, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Samira Shojaee, MD, MPH
- Email: samira.shojaee@vumc.org
- Phone: 615-322-2386
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.