The regimen 10 mg alteplase and 5 mg DNase twice daily that was used in MIST-2 trial is still an empiric choice. The rationale of using 3 doses of 16 mg alteplase dose (with supplementary 5 mg DNase) in our study was governed by the formulation of alteplase in our country (50 mg per ampoule); hence, it is best used within 24 hours following reconstitution as its biochemical stability up to 24 hours as assessed by in vitro clot lysis assays.
The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of the modified regimen short duration intrapleural 16mg alteplase (Actilyse, Boehringer Ingelheim) with 5mg DNase (Pulmozyme Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd) in patients with pleural infection.