Intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy for pleural infections: Outcomes from a cohort study

Introduction: Pleural infections are a significant cause of mortality. Intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy (IPFT) utilising alteplase and dornase is a treatment option for patients unsuitable for surgery. The optimal dose of alteplase is unknown, and factors affecting treatment success in an Asian po...

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Main Authors: Glenn Khai Wern Yong, Jonathan Jia Jun Wong, Xiaoe Zhang, Carmen Pei Sze Tan, Xiao Na Wang, Poh Seo Quek, Kim Hoong Yap
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Academy of Medicine Singapore 2024-12-01
Series:Annals, Academy of Medicine, Singapore
Online Access:https://annals.edu.sg/intrapleural-fibrinolytic-therapy-for-pleural-infections-outcomes-from-a-cohort-study/
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author Glenn Khai Wern Yong
Jonathan Jia Jun Wong
Xiaoe Zhang
Carmen Pei Sze Tan
Xiao Na Wang
Poh Seo Quek
Kim Hoong Yap
author_facet Glenn Khai Wern Yong
Jonathan Jia Jun Wong
Xiaoe Zhang
Carmen Pei Sze Tan
Xiao Na Wang
Poh Seo Quek
Kim Hoong Yap
author_sort Glenn Khai Wern Yong
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Pleural infections are a significant cause of mortality. Intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy (IPFT) utilising alteplase and dornase is a treatment option for patients unsuitable for surgery. The optimal dose of alteplase is unknown, and factors affecting treatment success in an Asian population are unclear. We sought to determine the factors affecting treatment success in Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore and evaluate the efficacy of lower doses of IPFT. Method: A retrospective analysis of patients with pleural infections treated with IPFT between July 2016 and November 2023 was performed. Treatment success was defined as survival without surgery at 3 months. Data, including patient demographics; comorbidities; RAPID (renal, age, purulence, infection source and dietary factor) scores; and radiological characteristics, were extracted from medical records and analysed. Linear mixed effects model and logistic regression were performed to determine factors affecting treatment success. Results: A total of 131 cases were analysed. Of these, 51 (38.9%) reported positive pleural fluid culture, and the most common organism was Streptoccocus anginosus. Mean age was 65 years (standard deviation [SD] 15.5). Mean time from chest tube insertion to first dose of IPFT was 10.2 days (SD 11.5). Median starting dose of alteplase was 5 mg. Treatment success was reported in 112 cases (85.5%). There were no significant differences between the alteplase dose and radiological clearance. Patient age (odds ratio [OR] 0.94, confidence interval [CI] 0.89–0.98) and interval between chest tube insertion to first dose (OR 0.95, CI 0.91–0.99) were statistically significant variables for the treatment success. Conclusion: Lower starting doses of alteplase remain effective in the treatment of pleural infection. Early IPFT may result in better outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-b6c962ef1f5c4a5790ad3efaa7fc0f6f2025-01-13T03:01:42ZengAcademy of Medicine SingaporeAnnals, Academy of Medicine, Singapore2972-40662024-12-01531272473310.47102/annals-acadmedsg.2024276Intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy for pleural infections: Outcomes from a cohort studyGlenn Khai Wern YongJonathan Jia Jun WongXiaoe ZhangCarmen Pei Sze TanXiao Na WangPoh Seo QuekKim Hoong Yap Introduction: Pleural infections are a significant cause of mortality. Intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy (IPFT) utilising alteplase and dornase is a treatment option for patients unsuitable for surgery. The optimal dose of alteplase is unknown, and factors affecting treatment success in an Asian population are unclear. We sought to determine the factors affecting treatment success in Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore and evaluate the efficacy of lower doses of IPFT. Method: A retrospective analysis of patients with pleural infections treated with IPFT between July 2016 and November 2023 was performed. Treatment success was defined as survival without surgery at 3 months. Data, including patient demographics; comorbidities; RAPID (renal, age, purulence, infection source and dietary factor) scores; and radiological characteristics, were extracted from medical records and analysed. Linear mixed effects model and logistic regression were performed to determine factors affecting treatment success. Results: A total of 131 cases were analysed. Of these, 51 (38.9%) reported positive pleural fluid culture, and the most common organism was Streptoccocus anginosus. Mean age was 65 years (standard deviation [SD] 15.5). Mean time from chest tube insertion to first dose of IPFT was 10.2 days (SD 11.5). Median starting dose of alteplase was 5 mg. Treatment success was reported in 112 cases (85.5%). There were no significant differences between the alteplase dose and radiological clearance. Patient age (odds ratio [OR] 0.94, confidence interval [CI] 0.89–0.98) and interval between chest tube insertion to first dose (OR 0.95, CI 0.91–0.99) were statistically significant variables for the treatment success. Conclusion: Lower starting doses of alteplase remain effective in the treatment of pleural infection. Early IPFT may result in better outcomes.https://annals.edu.sg/intrapleural-fibrinolytic-therapy-for-pleural-infections-outcomes-from-a-cohort-study/
spellingShingle Glenn Khai Wern Yong
Jonathan Jia Jun Wong
Xiaoe Zhang
Carmen Pei Sze Tan
Xiao Na Wang
Poh Seo Quek
Kim Hoong Yap
Intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy for pleural infections: Outcomes from a cohort study
Annals, Academy of Medicine, Singapore
title Intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy for pleural infections: Outcomes from a cohort study
title_full Intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy for pleural infections: Outcomes from a cohort study
title_fullStr Intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy for pleural infections: Outcomes from a cohort study
title_full_unstemmed Intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy for pleural infections: Outcomes from a cohort study
title_short Intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy for pleural infections: Outcomes from a cohort study
title_sort intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy for pleural infections outcomes from a cohort study
url https://annals.edu.sg/intrapleural-fibrinolytic-therapy-for-pleural-infections-outcomes-from-a-cohort-study/
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