Chest tubes are used for air or fluid removal from the pleural space. When a chest tube is placed, it can be hard for the fluid to drain.Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and DNase are given through the chest tube to help with draining the fluid. We are doing this research to see if early addition of tPA-DNase immediately after chest tube placement will help with better fluid draining.
The purpose of this study is to determine the timing and efficacy of early administration and late administration of t-PA/DNase via thoracostomy (n=60). Patients will be identified from the Intensive Care Unit, Coronary Care Unit, and wards/stepdown units. Prior to chest tube placement, patients will be randomized to one of the two treatment arms (early use of t-PA-DNase verus late use of t-PA-DNase). Route of administration will be via their thoracostomy tube over a period of three days twice daily.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Early addition of tPA and DNase (immediately at chest tube placement) versus later (24-48 hours) after chest tube placement.
Palmetto Health Richland
Columbia, South Carolina, United States
Chest tube removal
Time to chest tube removal
Time frame: 7 days
Fluid drainage
Volume of fluid drained after each tPA and DNase instillation
Time frame: 3 days
Need for other interventions
Post tPA/DNase administration, the need for other interventions, such as surgery or additional chest tube, will be determined.
Time frame: 4 days
Discharge
Time to discharge
Time frame: 3 weeks
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