RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Continuation Of a Study to Investigate the Effect of Thoracocentesis on Neural Respiratory Drive in Pleural Effusion

This study aims to understand how fluid buildup around the lungs, called a pleural effusion, affects your breathing, especially when only one lung is involved. We're also looking at how removing this fluid helps reduce breathlessness. Researchers will measure your breathing muscles and brain signals to these muscles before, during, and after fluid drainage. This will help us learn more about the connection between pleural effusions, your breathing, and how treatments make you feel. The goal is to gather information that could lead to better ways to manage breathlessness for people with this condition. Around 124 adults from one UK hospital will take part over 18 months.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

124

Start

15 Nov 2023

Estimated completion

30 Jun 2027

Pleural Effusion

What is this study about?

This study is about understanding how having fluid in the space around your lung, known as a pleural effusion, affects your breathing and causes you to feel breathless. When there's a lot of fluid, it can make it harder for your lungs to expand properly, leading to shortness of breath. The main goal is to see what happens to your breathing muscles and the signals from your brain that control them, both before and after this fluid is drained away.

Researchers will be looking specifically at people who have fluid around one lung and are experiencing breathlessness, and who need to have this fluid removed as part of their usual care. By taking measurements at different times – before, during, and after the fluid removal – the study hopes to find clearer links between the fluid, how your breathing muscles work, and how breathless you feel.

The information gathered from this study could be really important. It might help doctors better understand why people with pleural effusions feel breathless and how removing the fluid improves things. Ultimately, this knowledge could lead to better treatments and ways to help people feel more comfortable and breathe more easily in the future.

Key takeaways

This study investigates why fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion) causes breathlessness.
It checks how draining the fluid affects your breathing muscles and brain signals.
Participation involves extra measurements during your routine fluid drainage treatment.
No new medicines are involved in this research.
The findings could lead to better ways to manage breathlessness for patients.
You can stop taking part at any time without affecting your medical care.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults aged 18 or over who have fluid around one lung (a unilateral pleural effusion) and are feeling breathless. To be eligible, you also need to be scheduled to have this fluid drained, either through a procedure called a thoracocentesis, a chest drain insertion, or if you already have a special tube (an IPC) in place for drainage.

However, there are a few reasons why someone might not be able to join. For example, if you can’t give your permission for the study, or if there are medical reasons that make the fluid drainage procedure unsafe for you. People who are very unwell and unstable, or those who have certain problems with their diaphragm (a key breathing muscle) might also not be able to take part.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you have fluid around one lung (a unilateral pleural effusion)?
Are you feeling breathless because of this fluid?
Are you scheduled to have the fluid drained (thoracocentesis, chest drain, or already have an IPC)?
Are you able to give your consent to take part in a study?
Do you have any medical conditions, like diaphragm paralysis, that might exclude you?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll first be given detailed information about the study and have the chance to ask any questions. If you agree, you'll sign a consent form. While you're getting your fluid drained, which is part of your normal treatment, researchers will collect some extra information.

This will involve taking measurements of your breathlessness, your breathing muscles, and the electrical activity that travels from your brain to these muscles. These measurements will be taken at four different points: when you first come in for your fluid drainage, again at the end of the drainage, and then one day and seven days after the drainage procedure. There are no new medications involved, and the follow-up is integrated into these measurement points.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study involves having some extra measurements taken during your routine medical care. These measurements are generally safe and non-invasive. While there's no direct personal benefit expected, the information gained could help improve future care for people with pleural effusions and breathlessness. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without affecting your medical treatment.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is a pleural effusion?

A pleural effusion is when extra fluid builds up in the space between your lung and the inside of your chest, which can make it hard to breathe.

What does 'neural respiratory drive' mean?

This refers to the electrical signals from your brain that tell your breathing muscles when and how to work. The study looks at how these signals are affected.

Will I have to take any new medicines?

No, this study does not involve taking any new medications. It focuses on taking measurements related to your breathing.

How long will I be involved in the study?

Your involvement typically covers the period around your fluid drainage, with measurements taken at the start, end, one day after, and seven days after the procedure.

Is my privacy protected?

Yes, all your information will be kept confidential and your privacy will be protected throughout the study.

How to find out more

Junyi Zhang, MBBChir

junyi.zhang@gstt.nhs.uk 02071887188 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.