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

Abdul Hamid MF, Hasbullah AHH, Mohamad Jailaini MF, Nik Abeed NN, Ng BH, Haron H, et al.

BMC Pulm Med, 2022 Nov 23;22(1):439.

PMID: 36419155 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-022-02239-w

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.

Matched MeSH terms: Pleural Diseases*

Combined intrapleural alteplase and DNase therapy in complicated pleural infection arising from postsurgery oesophageal leak

Ng BH, Nik Abeed NN, Ban AY, Abdul Hamid MF

BMJ Case Rep, 2023 Aug 17;16(8).

PMID: 37591627 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2022-249927

Managing a complicated pleural infection related to postsurgery can pose a clinical challenge, especially when initial interventions such as intercostal chest drain and antibiotics prove ineffective. We describe a man in his mid-60s who developed a recurrence of exudative pleural effusion caused by an oesophageal leak following laparoscopic total gastrectomy with Roux-y oesophagojejunostomy for gastric adenocarcinoma. Surgical repairs and oesophageal stenting were performed to address the oesophageal leak. Despite attempts at intercostal chest tube drainage, ultrasonography-guided targeted drainage of the locule and antibiotics, he did not show any improvement. He was unfit for surgical decortication. Due to the risk of bleeding, we chose a modified dose of intrapleural alteplase 5 mg and DNase 5 mg at 12-hour intervals for a total of three doses. This led to the complete resolution of the effusion. This case highlights that intrapleural tPA/DNase can be an adjunctive therapy in postsurgery-related complicated pleural effusion.

Matched MeSH terms: Pleural Diseases*

Pedunculated parietal pleural lesion: a rare presentation of bronchogenic cyst

Abdul Rahman MR, Yaman MN, Dimon MZ, Zabir AF, Min JO, Hamid HA

Ann Thorac Surg, 2011 Aug;92(2):714-5.

PMID: 21801925 DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2011.02.028

We present a 35-year-old man with a preoperative diagnosis of a right lower lobe cystic mass. Misled by a radiological suggestion of an intraparenchymal lesion, he had a thoracotomy and right lower lobectomy. An intraoperative finding of a pedunculated cyst arising from the parietal pleural with subsequent histopathology confirmation of a benign bronchogenic cyst, however, would have made a less invasive surgical excision more appropriate.

Matched MeSH terms: Pleural Diseases/diagnosis*; Pleural Diseases/pathology; Pleural Diseases/surgery

Successful surgical management of a case of pulmonary and pericardial melioidosis

Majid AA

Aust N Z J Surg, 1990 Feb;60(2):139-41.

PMID: 2327916

A 35 year old diabetic presented with features of septicaemia and developed cardiac tamponade. He was found to have pulmonary, acute septicaemic and pericardial melioidosis. Some initial improvement was achieved with medical therapy but only with surgical intervention was a successful outcome achieved.

Matched MeSH terms: Pleural Diseases/etiology; Pleural Diseases/radiography; Pleural Diseases/surgery*

Fulltext Short-course modified regimen intrapleural alteplase and pulmozyme (DNase) in pleural infection

Faisal M, Farhan R, Cheong XK, Ng BH, Nuratiqah N, Andrea Yl B

Respir Med Case Rep, 2020;31:101168.

PMID: 32714827 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2020.101168

Pleural infection is a common clinical condition leading to hospitalisation. In the last decade, advances in pleural research have led to a paradigm shift in the treatment of complex effusion from a surgical approach to a less invasive non-surgical approach using a combination of intrapleural fibrinolytics and pulmozyme (DNase). We report 3 patients with pleural infection. Intercostal chest catheter failed to drain the complex effusion. They were subsequently treated with a modified short-course regimen of alteplase and DNase. They received 3 cycles of 16 mg alteplase with 5 mg DNase each within 24 hours and all three had a favourable outcome with no adverse effects. This modified regimen appears effective with good safety profile and adds to the current literature on the safety and effectiveness of different dose combinations of alteplase and DNase.

Matched MeSH terms: Pleural Diseases

Fulltext Post pneumonectomy bronchopleural fistula: is it the closure technique or the operative side that really matters?

Sachithanandan A, Badmanaban B

Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg, 2011 Apr;12(4):562.

PMID: 21429878 DOI: 10.1510/icvts.2010.251157B

Matched MeSH terms: Pleural Diseases/etiology; Pleural Diseases/prevention & control*

Fulltext Low dose intrapleural alteplase and pulmozyme (DNase) in two post-surgical patients with pleural sepsis

Faisal M, Fazlin M, Ng BH, Nuratiqah N, Andrea YB

Respir Med Case Rep, 2020;30:101111.

PMID: 32518748 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2020.101111

Alteplase and pulmozyme (DNase) administered intrapleurally have revolutionised the management of pleural infection in the last decade. However, the use of intrapleural fibrinolytic has not been well established in high risks patients. Here, we describe 2 patients with high risk of bleeding due to recent surgery who developed empyema; successfully treated with these medications. The first patient was a 36-year-old female post oesophagectomy for oesophageal carcinoma, complicated with anastomotic leak and empyema; and the second patient was a 56-year-old female post percutaneous nephrolithotomy for right obstructive uropathy who developed right-sided empyema. Both patients were treated successfully with 3 doses of intrapleural alteplase 2.5 mg and DNase 5 mg without any major adverse effects. This case report adds to the current literature on the safety of intrapleural fibrinolytics and highlights that lower doses of alteplase in combination with pulmozyme is efficacious and may be considered in high-risk patients.

Matched MeSH terms: Pleural Diseases

The first use of combination of Intrapleural Fibrinolytics (Alteplase & DNAse) for pleural infection in Malaysia

Muhammad Redzwan SRA

Med J Malaysia, 2019 04;74(2):176-178.

PMID: 31079131

The use of a combination of intrapleural fibrinolytics or tissue plasminogen activator(tPA) Alteplase and deoxyribonuclease (Dnase) has been increasing for cases of complicated pleural infection/parapneumonic effusion worldwide. Its efficacy and success rate in selected cases of complicated parapneumonic effusion unresponsive to antibiotics and chest drainage are well documented. This case report demonstrates the first use of combination intrapleural fibrinolytic (Alteplase) and DNAse (Pulmozyme) in Malaysia for a case of pleural infection/parapneumonic effusion.

Matched MeSH terms: Pleural Diseases/drug therapy*

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