Once Daily Intrapleural Enzyme Therapy in Complicated Parapneumonic Effusion or Empyema
Once Daily Intrapleural Enzyme Therapy in Complicated Parapneumonic Effusion or Empyema (ONLY ONCE)
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
270 participants
Sep 11, 2025
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to find out if giving certain medications once a day works just as well as giving them twice a day to treat infections around the lungs (called pleural infections). These medications-tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and deoxyribonuclease (DNase)-are placed through a chest tube into the space between the lung and the chest wall to help clear out the infection. The investigators are trying to learn: * Does using the medicine once a day work just as well as using it twice a day? * Are there any differences in outcomes between patients who get the medicine once a day versus twice a day? * Does more or less fluid remain in the chest (seen on a chest x-ray) depending on how often the medicine is given? Participants will: * Have an infection around their lung and will already be getting normal hospital care, including a chest tube to drain the infected fluid around their lung. * Be asked to give permission to join the study. * Be randomly chosen (like flipping a coin) to get the medications either once a day or twice a day through the chest tube.
Eligibility
Plain Language Summary
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This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.
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Interventions
tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) 10mg will be administered once a day as part of intrapleural enzyme therapy (IET) for 3 consecutive days.
tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) 10mg will be administered twice a day as intrapleural enzyme therapy for 3 consecutive days.
Deoxyribonuclease (DNase) 5mg will be administered once a day as intrapleural enzyme therapy (IET) for 3 consecutive days.
Deoxyribonuclease (DNase) 5mg will be administered twice a day as intrapleural enzyme therapy for 3 consecutive days.
Locations(6)
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NCT07095361