Can saline alone treat lung infections? new pilot study aims to find out
NCT ID NCT07592520
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This pilot study will test whether flushing the chest tube with saline alone can treat complicated pleural infections (fluid buildup around the lungs). If saline doesn't work, patients will receive stronger clot-busting drugs (fibrinolytics) or surgery. The study will track how long the chest tube stays in and how many people need stronger treatments. It includes 30 adults with pleural infection who need a chest tube.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- saline (normal saline), with possible escalation to alteplase and dornase alfa (fibrinolytics)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could show that simple saline flushes are enough for many pleural infections, reducing the need for stronger drugs or surgery.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small pilot study (30 people) and not yet recruiting. It only observes outcomes, so it cannot prove which treatment is better. Results may not apply to all patients.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Hanover, New Hampshire, 03756, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Tiny study checks antibiotic levels in lung infection fluid