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Gravity Versus Vacuum Based Indwelling Tunneled Pleural Drainage System
NCT03831386 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
Malignant pleural effusion remains a debilitating complication of end stage cancer, which can be greatly improved by the introduction of the indwelling tunneled pleural catheter (IPC). However, there is no standard of care regarding drainage and limited data on the utility of different drainage techniques. In addition, many patients develop discomfort and chest pain during drainage. The investigators propose to evaluate gravity drainage and suction drainage on quality of life measures and outcomes.
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- PROCEDURE Vacuum-Based IPC
- PROCEDURE Gravity-Based IPC
Study Locations (6)
Illinois
- Northwest Community Healthcare — Arlington Heights
Maryland
- Johns Hopkins Hospital — Baltimore
South Carolina
- Medical University of South Carolina — Charleston
Tennessee
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Nashville
Washington
- Swedish Medical Center — Seattle
Other
- University of Oxford — Oxford
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 200 participants |
| Start Date | 2019-01-31 |
| Est. Completion | 2026-12-31 |
| Phase | NA |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT03831386
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT03831386 describes a study currently listed as recruiting. It is categorized as NA, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 200 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is Johns Hopkins University, which has 1,517 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 1 condition, with Pleural Effusion appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 2 interventions — of which Vacuum-Based IPC is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT03831386 reports 6 study locations spanning 6 distinct geographic areas — top geographies include Illinois, Maryland, South Carolina. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT03831386 about?
NCT03831386 is a clinical study titled "Gravity Versus Vacuum Based Indwelling Tunneled Pleural Drainage System". Malignant pleural effusion remains a debilitating complication of end stage cancer, which can be greatly improved by the introduction of the indwelling tunneled pleural catheter (IPC). However, there is no standard of care regarding drainage and limited data on the utility of different drainage tech...
What is the current status of trial NCT03831386?
This trial is currently recruiting. It is a NA study. The enrollment target is 200 participants. The study started on 2019-01-31. Estimated completion is 2026-12-31.
What conditions does trial NCT03831386 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Pleural Effusion. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT03831386?
The interventions under investigation include: Vacuum-Based IPC (PROCEDURE), Gravity-Based IPC (PROCEDURE). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT03831386?
This trial is sponsored by Johns Hopkins University, which has 1,517 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT03831386 being conducted?
This trial has 6 study locations across Illinois, Maryland, South Carolina, Tennessee, Washington. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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