Using acetylcysteine in bronchoalveolar lavage for bronchiectasis treatment

Efficacy and Safety of Bronchoalveolar Lavage with Acetylcysteine in the Treatment of Bronchiectasis with Infection in Adults: a Multicentre, Blinded, Randomised Controlled Study.

Not applicable Interventional First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University · NCT06726356

This study is testing if using acetylcysteine during a lung cleaning procedure can help people with bronchiectasis feel better and recover faster during flare-ups compared to standard treatments.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment180 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
SponsorFirst Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University Research network
Locations1 site (Ningbo, Zhejiang)
Trial IDNCT06726356 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effectiveness of bronchoalveolar lavage using acetylcysteine in patients with acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis. A total of 180 patients will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: conventional treatment, bronchoalveolar lavage with saline, or bronchoalveolar lavage with acetylcysteine. The goal is to determine if the addition of acetylcysteine improves patient outcomes compared to standard treatments. The study will assess symptom relief, hospital stay duration, and overall lung function improvements.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 80 with a confirmed diagnosis of bronchiectasis experiencing acute exacerbations.

Not a fit: Patients with severe cardiopulmonary diseases or those unable to tolerate bronchoscopy may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly enhance treatment outcomes for patients suffering from bronchiectasis.

How similar studies have performed: While nebulized acetylcysteine has shown promise in bronchiectasis treatment, this specific approach of bronchoalveolar lavage with acetylcysteine is novel and has not been previously tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age ≥18 years and ≤80 years;
2. Chest CT suggestive of bronchiectasis;
3. meet the criteria for an acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis with symptoms such as cough, sputum, chest tightness or wheezing, and c. Patients who meet the criteria for an acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis with symptoms of cough, sputum, chest tightness or wheezing and who consent to bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage
4. patients who agreed to participate in the study and signed an informed consent form;

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Severe cardiopulmonary diseases, coagulation disorders, poor tolerance to anaesthesia, psychiatric disorders or severe neuroses that are contraindications to bronchoscopy;
2. Intraoperative findings of decreased SPO2 or inability to tolerate bronchoscopy or inability to tolerate further bronchoalveolar lavage;
3. Inability to co-operate with the study for any reason or in the opinion of the investigator, inappropriate for inclusion in the study for other reasons;
4. Bronchoscopy of patients with significant intra-airway haemorrhage who may be at risk of exacerbation due to bronchoalveolar lavage;
5. Patients with acetylcysteine allergy;
6. Missing information;

Where this trial is running

Ningbo, Zhejiang

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 Bronchiectasis with Acute Exacerbationbronchiectasisacetylcysteinebronchoalveolar lavageBronchoscopic airway clearance therapy
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.