Investigating how draining fluid from the lungs affects breathing in patients with pleural effusion

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 observational study aims to explore the relationship between pleural effusions and breathlessness in patients requiring fluid removal. It will involve 124 adult patients with unilateral pleural effusions, recruited from a single center in the UK over 18 months. Participants will undergo baseline assessments, including measurements of breathlessness, breathing muscle activity, and electrical signals from the brain to these muscles, at various time points around the drainage procedure. The goal is to identify links between pleural effusion removal and changes in breathing dynamics and patient-reported breathlessness.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 18 years or above
* Has a unilateral pleural effusion AND

  1. require thoracocentesis OR
  2. chest drain insertion (main study only) OR
  3. has an IPC in situ (main study only)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Inability to consent
* Any contraindications to the proposed pleural procedure
* Haemodynamic or clinical instability that precludes from the safe completion of required pre-procedural measurements
* Inability to identify surface landmarks for surface EMG electrode placement
* Past medical history of diaphragmatic paralysis (diaphragm sub study only)

Where it's running

• Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
  London, London, United Kingdom Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Patrick Murphy, MBBS BSc — Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
• Study coordinator: Junyi Zhang, MBBChir
• Email: junyi.zhang@gstt.nhs.uk
• Phone: 02071887188

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

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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.