Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable
Age: 18Years +
All Genders
NCT03831386

Gravity Versus Vacuum Based Indwelling Tunneled Pleural Drainage System

Led by Johns Hopkins University · Updated on 2025-12-17

200

Participants Needed

6

Research Sites

413 weeks

Total Duration

On this page

Sponsors

J

Johns Hopkins University

Lead Sponsor

R

Rocket Medical plc

Collaborating Sponsor

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Malignant pleural effusion remains a debilitating complication of end stage cancer, which can be greatly improved by the introduction of the indwelling tunneled pleural catheter (IPC). However, there is no standard of care regarding drainage and limited data on the utility of different drainage techniques. In addition, many patients develop discomfort and chest pain during drainage. The investigators propose to evaluate gravity drainage and suction drainage on quality of life measures and outcomes.

CONDITIONS

Official Title

Gravity Versus Vacuum Based Indwelling Tunneled Pleural Drainage System

Who Can Participate

Age: 18Years +
All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible

You may qualify if you...

  • Clinical indications for placement of IPC for malignant pleural effusion
  • Pleural effusion with symptomatic improvement in dyspnea after drainage of ipsilateral effusion
  • Clinically confident symptomatic malignant pleural effusion
  • Histocytological proof of pleural malignancy
  • Recurrent large pleural effusion in context of histologically proven cancer outside the pleural space
  • Plans for placement of IPC within ten days of enrollment
  • Age greater than 17 years
  • Sufficient fluid on ultrasound to allow for safe insertion of IPC
Not Eligible

You will not qualify if you...

  • Recent (less than 60 days) thoracic surgery or chest trauma causing chronic pain
  • Pregnant or lactating mothers
  • Previous ipsilateral chemical pleurodesis
  • Current contralateral indwelling pleural catheter
  • Known rib or thoracic skeletal metastasis causing pain
  • Concern for active pleural infection
  • Respiratory failure
  • Irreversible bleeding diathesis
  • Inability to provide care for indwelling tunneled pleural catheter
  • Significantly loculated pleural space precluding drainage of pleural space
  • Estimated life expectancy of less than 30 days (active hospice enrollment is allowed)
  • Inability to read, understand, or write in English
  • Inability to follow-up for appointments or protocol
  • Any clinical or social condition that contraindicates participation
  • Enrollment in alternative pleural catheter trial precluding this study

AI-Screening

AI-Powered Screening

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Trial Site Locations

Total: 6 locations

1

Northwest Community Healthcare

Arlington Heights, Illinois, United States, 60005

Actively Recruiting

2

Johns Hopkins Hospital

Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 21287

Actively Recruiting

3

Medical University of South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina, United States, 29425

Actively Recruiting

4

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Nashville, Tennessee, United States, 37232

Actively Recruiting

5

Swedish Medical Center

Seattle, Washington, United States, 98104

Actively Recruiting

6

University of Oxford

Oxford, United Kingdom

Not Yet Recruiting

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Research Team

I

IP Research

CONTACT

How is the study designed?

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Masking

NONE

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Model

PARALLEL

Primary Purpose

TREATMENT

Number of Arms

2

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