Empyema clinical trials
The registry lists 38 studies for Empyema across more than 10 countries. 11 are recruiting or about to start. 18 of them are mainly about Empyema (how this is decided). Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-11-10. Counting its narrower condition Empyema, Pleural too: 61 studies, 17 open.
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Who runs them
Children's Mercy Hospital Kansas City (2) · Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Amiens (2) · Assiut University (2) · Beijing Children's Hospital (1) · Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh (1) · Vanderbilt University Medical Center (1) · Delta University for Science and Technology (1) · University of Cape Town (1)
What is being tested here
Drugs under test in Empyema studies, those with the most open studies first. Medicines only given beside them are not counted. How drugs are counted
| Drug | Open | Phase 3 | All |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tissue Plasminogen Activator | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Amoxicillin | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Clavulanic Acid | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Cefazolin | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Dexamethasone | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Drug classes tested here Thrombolytics 4
Coming up
Studies recruiting or running, from their records. “Main data collection” ends at the primary completion date, the sponsor’s own estimate, which often moves.
All 3
- Nov 2026Is Intercostal Tube Enough in Management of Empyema · Assiut University
- Dec 2026Chest Drain Regular Flushing in Complicated Parapneumonic Effusions and Empyemas · Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Jul 2027Evaluating Antibiotic Course Upon Adequate Treatment of Empyema · University of Arizona
Who these studies take
Of the 6 Empyema studies recruiting now, 4 (67%) set no upper age limit and 1 (17%) stop at 75 or younger. 1 (17%) take children under 18. 0 (0%) are for women only and 0 (0%) for men only; 0 (0%) take healthy volunteers.
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 1 (17%) | 1 (17%) |
| 18 | 6 (100%) | 6 (100%) |
| 30 | 5 (83%) | 5 (83%) |
| 40 | 5 (83%) | 5 (83%) |
| 50 | 5 (83%) | 5 (83%) |
| 65 | 5 (83%) | 5 (83%) |
| 75 | 5 (83%) | 5 (83%) |
| 85 | 4 (67%) | 4 (67%) |
Across all 38 studies, recruiting or not: 37% stop at 75 or younger and 29% at 65; 29% take children; 0% are for women only and 0% for men only; 8% take healthy volunteers. From each study’s registry entry; the criteria on its page decide.
What changed recently
From the registry's own updates since Oct 13, 2026.
Started recruiting1
- VATS or Intrapleural Enzymatic Therapy for Patients With Empyema.Oct 26, 2026NCT07886541
Newly registered1
- VATS or Intrapleural Enzymatic Therapy for Patients With Empyema.Oct 21, 2026NCT07886541
Studies
Recruiting first, then most recently updated. Showing 38 of 38. search them.
- VATS or Intrapleural Enzymatic Therapy for Patients With Empyema.RecruitingNCT07886541Phase 41 country
- UNC Pleural Fluid RegistryRecruitingNCT056203291 country
- Evaluating Antibiotic Course Upon Adequate Treatment of EmpyemaNot yet recruitingNCT07862361Not applicable1 country
- Once Daily Intrapleural Enzyme Therapy in Complicated Parapneumonic Effusion or EmpyemaRecruitingNCT07095361Phase 41 country
- Chest Drain Regular Flushing in Complicated Parapneumonic Effusions and EmpyemasRecruitingNCT06427538Not applicable1 country
- Diagnostic Utility of Pleural Infection-specific Multiplex PCR PanelNot yet recruitingNCT070770961 country
- Effectiveness and Safety of Sodium Bicarbonate Pleural Lavage in the Treatment of Complex Pleural EffusionRecruitingNCT06734481Not applicable1 country
- Comparative Study Between Outcome of ICT Drainage and VATS in Management of Second Stage EmpyemaNot yet recruitingNCT06680024Not applicable
- Complicated Pneumonia (CP) in Children in South-East EuropeRecruitingNCT066578981 country
- Is Intercostal Tube Enough in Management of EmpyemaNot yet recruitingNCT06235359Not applicable
- Medical Thoracoscopy in Treatment Outcomes of Empyema ManagementNot yet recruitingNCT06132997Not applicable
- Chemical vs Mechanical Pleural Adhesiolysis for Liberation of Captive Pleura in Stacked EffusionCompletedNCT07713329Phase 21 country
- Pharmacokinetics and Pleural Fluid Penetration of Amoxicillin and Clavulanic Acid in Patients With Pleural InfectionsCompletedNCT04350502Not applicable1 country
- Comparison of Lung Expansion After Uniportal and Multiportal Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery for Stage II Post Pneumonic Bacterial Empyema ThoracisCompletedNCT07137507Not applicable1 country
- Uniportal VATS Versus Chest Tube for Early EmpyemaCompletedNCT06325904Not applicable1 country
- Prospective Evaluation of 14F Thal Tube vs 28 French Chest Tube for Hemothorax and Use of Maximum Barrier PrecautionsCompletedNCT03167723Not applicable1 country
- Short Duration High Intensity Intrapleural Alteplase With Pulmozyme in Pleural Infection ManagementCompletedNCT04915586Not applicable1 country
- Fibrinolysis Compared to Thoracoscopy for Pleural InfectionCompletedNCT03468933Phase 41 country
- Clinical Feature and Microbiology Characteristics of Empyema in ChildrenStatus unknownNCT046952751 country
- Suturing With U-Technique Versus Un-Reapproximated Wound Edges During Removal of Closed Thoracostomy Tube DrainStatus unknownNCT04193241Not applicable1 country
- VATS ( Video-Assisted Thoracoscopy) Compared to Reinsertion of a Thoracostomy Tube for Persistent HaemothoraxCompletedNCT02014077Not applicable1 country
- Early Results of Empyema Thoracis Treatment in Children by Video-assisted Thoracoscopic SurgeryStatus unknownNCT041775501 country
- Medical Thoracoscopy Versus Tube Thoracostomy in Management of Empyema .Status unknownNCT03859206Not applicable
- Comparing Xperguide vs. Conventional Methods During Percutaneous Image Guided ProceduresTerminatedNCT01287013Not applicable1 country
- Efficacy and Safety of Prophylactic Use of an Antibiotic for Medical ThoracoscopyCompletedNCT02446782Phase 41 country
- Procalcitonin in Pleural PleuritisCompletedNCT010118811 country
- The Osteogenic Potential of Human Maxillary Sinus Shneiderian MembraneCompletedNCT026769211 country
- Empyema Treated With tPA & DNAseWithdrawnNCT01862458Phase 31 country
- Clinical Trial Corticoids For Empyema And Pleural Effusion In ChildrenCompletedNCT01261546Phase 21 country
- KatGuide Method Versus Conventional Method at Insertion of Chest TubeCompletedNCT01522885Phase 31 country
- Drainage is Not Necessary Procedure After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Due to Severe Acute CholecystitisStatus unknownNCT01625247Phase 31 country
- Efficacy and Safety of Activase (Ateplase) vs Placebo in Complicated Pleural Effusions (CPE)/EmpyemasCompletedNCT00468104Not applicable1 country
- Procoagulant Activity in Patients With Community Acquired Pneumonia, Pleural Effusion and EmpyemaCompletedNCT011785801 country
- Urokinase Versus Video-assisted Thoracoscopic to Treat Complicated Parapneumonic Empyema in ChildhoodCompletedNCT00798278Phase 31 country
- Thoracoscopy Versus Fibrinolysis in Children With EmpyemaCompletedNCT00323531Phase 2/31 country
- Alteplase for Treatment of Empyema and Complicated Parapneumonic EffusionStatus unknownNCT00103766Not applicable1 country
- Comparison the Level of CTGF Protein and Related Cytokine in Pleural EffusionStatus unknownNCT003130661 country
- Urokinase Versus Primary Video-Assisted Thorascopic Surgery for EmpyemaCompletedNCT00144950Phase 11 country