Alteplase Through an Indwelling Pleural Catheter for the Management of Symptomatic Septated Malignant Pleural Effusion (NCT06184321)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
This study investigates whether alteplase can help to improve pleural fluid drainage and dyspnea (breathlessness) in patients with non-draining malignant pleural effusion. Alteplase helps dissolve blood clots and is used to treat heart attacks, strokes, and clots in the lungs. Alteplase may help to control symptoms of breathlessness.
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (10 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (10 items).
Location: John Hopkins University — Baltimore, Maryland
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- Exclusion Criteria:
- Inability to provide informed consent
- Study subject has any disease or condition that interferes with safe completion of the study including:
- Uncorrectable coagulopathy based on criteria followed by cardiopulmonary center for procedures.
- Active bleeding
- Known allergic reaction to thrombolytics
- Pleural effusion is smaller than expected on bedside pre-procedure ultrasound
- No septations and/or no loculations on bedside pre-procedure ultrasound
- Patient is asymptomatic
- Blocked IPC as determined by saline flush
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (2 Sites)
- John Hopkins University — Baltimore, Maryland
- M D Anderson Cancer Center — Houston, Texas
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.