Fibrinolysis Compared to Thoracoscopy for Pleural Infection
Pleural Infection, Empyema, Pleural Diseases
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Pleural Infection
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Subjects >18 years old with:
Evidence of empyema or complex parapneumonic effusion
Exclusion Criteria:
Age <18 years Pregnancy Inability to give informed written consent Previous thoracic surgery or thrombolytic therapy for pleural infection Medical thoracoscopy cannot be performed within 48 hours Hemodynamic instability or severe hypoxemia Non corrected coagulopathy Homogeneously echogenic effusion on pleural ultrasonography
Sites / Locations
- Tulane Medical Center Tulane University Section of Pulmonary DiseasesTulane University Section of Pulmonary Diseases
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Active Comparator
Active Comparator
Fibrinolytic therapy group
Medical Thoracoscopy group
Patients randomized to the Fibrinolytic group will receive intrapleural therapy of combined tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and human recombinant deoxyribonuclease (DNase) via chest tube.
Patients randomized to the Thoracoscopy group will undergo medical thoracoscopy.