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Retrospective review comparing intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy (alteplase) and surgical intervention in complex pleural effusion

Abdul Hamid MF 1 , Hasbullah AHH 2 , Mohamad Jailaini MF 2 , Nik Abeed NN 2 , Ng BH 2 , Haron H 3 Show all authors , Md Ali NA 3 , Ismail MI 3 , Nik Ismail NA 4 , Abdul Rahman MR 3 , Ban AY 2

Affiliations 

  • 1 Respiratory Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC), Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. faisal.hamid@ppukm.ukm.edu.my
  • 2 Respiratory Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC), Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 3 Cardiothoracic Unit, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC), Jalan Yaacob Latiff, Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 4 Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC), Jalan Yaacob Latiff, Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
BMC Pulm Med, 2022 Nov 23;22(1):439.
PMID: 36419155 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-022-02239-w

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy (IPFT) is one of the treatment options for complex pleural effusion. In this study, the IPFT agent used was alteplase, a tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA). This study aims to determine the difference in the outcome of patients with complex pleural effusion between IPFT and surgery in terms of radiological improvement, inflammatory parameters, length of stay, and post-intervention complications.

METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with complex pleural effusion treated at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center from January 2012 to August 2020 was performed. Patient demographics, chest imaging, drainage chart, inflammatory parameters, length of hospital stay, and post-intervention and outcome were analyzed.

RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients were identified (surgical intervention, n = 18; 31% and IPFT, n = 40, 69%). The mean age was 51.7 ± 18.2 years. Indication for surgical intervention was pleural infection (n = 18; 100%), and MPE (n = 0). Indications for IPFT was pleural infection (n = 30; 75%) and MPE (n = 10; 25%). The dosages of t-PA were one to five doses of 2-50 mg. The baseline chest radiograph in the IPFT group was worse than in the surgical intervention group. (119.96 ± 56.05 vs. 78.19 ± 55.6; p = 0.029) At week 1, the radiological success rate for IPFT and surgical intervention were 27% and 20%, respectively, and at weeks 4-8, the success rate was 56% and 80% respectively. IPFT was associated with lesser complications; fever (17.5%), chest pain (10%), and non-life-threatening bleeding (5%).

CONCLUSION: IPFT was comparable to surgery in radiological outcome, inflammatory parameters, and length of stay with lesser reported complications.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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