Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
ERJ Open Research
Volume
8
Issue
1
Publisher
European Respiratory Society
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
RAS ID
51790
Abstract
Introduction Intrapleural tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) combined with human recombinant DNase (DNase) could be an effective alternative to surgery in managing pleural infection, as demonstrated in the Multi-centre Intrapleural Sepsis Trial (MIST)-2. However, the optimal delivery regimen is still unknown. The aim of this survey was to identify the current practice of tPA/DNase use by physicians with published interests in pleural infection, and their opinions on dose de-escalation of tPA/DNase therapy. Methods Potential participants were identified using four search strategies. Only practising physicians who were managing patients with pleural infections and either actively involved in pleural research and publications, or were members of relevant pleural disease guideline panels at the time of survey were included. Results An invitation email with the questionnaire was sent to 102 participants, of whom 49 (48%) responded. Most respondents (90%, n=44) have used tPA/DNase to manage pleural infection, but the dosing and delivery regimens employed varied. Many (86%, 38 out of 44) respondents have used 10 mg tPA, while 73% (n=32), 16% (n=7) and 9% (n=4) have used 5 mg, 2.5 mg and 1 mg doses, respectively. Most respondents instilled tPA/DNase concurrently (61%, n=27) and routinely administered six doses of tPA/DNase (52%, n=23) twice daily (82%, n=36). Respondents would consider using a lower starting dose of tPA (with the possibility of escalation if clinically needed) if a median 80% (interquartile range 50–80%) of patients could be successfully treated at that dose. Conclusion This survey observed a large variation in the current treatment protocol of intrapleural tPA/ DNase therapy worldwide and the need for more data on this subject.
DOI
10.1183/23120541.00590-2021
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
Comments
Lau, E. P., Eshraghi, M., Dootson, K., Yeoh, C., Phu, W. Y., Lee, Y. G., & Popowicz, N. D. (2022). An international survey on the use of intrapleural tissue plasminogen activator/DNase therapy for pleural infection. ERJ open research, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1183/23120541.00590-2021