The purpose of this study is to assess the benefit to patients with empyema or complicated parapneumonic effusion (CPE) using a daily versus twice daily Alteplase regimen of two different dose strategies compared with saline placebo.
This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study. Patients with empyema and complicated parapneumonic effusion who are felt to require fibrinolytic therapy will be considered for study enrollment. Enrolled patients will be randomized to one of five potential treatment arms (saline placebo, 4 mg once daily, 4 mg twice daily, 10 mg once daily, or 10 mg twice daily) in a double-blinded manner.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
75
Scott and White Memorial Hospital & Clinic
Temple, Texas, United States
RECRUITINGNeed for surgical intervention via thoracostomy or open decortication as a result of conservative therapy.
Mortality
Hospital length of stay
Daily chest tube drainage
Radiographic improvement
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