ARMSTRONG - Air entRainMent vS sTandard tReatment in nOn-expandable luNG

Launched by CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST · May 4, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The ARMSTRONG trial is studying a new method to help patients with a non-expandable lung, which can happen when there is fluid buildup in the chest, making it hard for the lung to fully expand. The trial is testing whether introducing small amounts of air into the chest while draining the fluid can reduce pain and improve how well the procedure works. This technique uses a simple device to let air in, which may help balance the pressure in the chest and make the drainage process more comfortable for patients.

To participate in this trial, you need to be an adult who has been diagnosed with a non-expandable lung and is scheduled for a fluid drainage procedure. If you join, you'll be randomly assigned to either the standard drainage care or the new method that includes air introduction. Throughout the process, your pain and satisfaction will be monitored to see if this new approach helps improve your experience. The trial is currently looking for participants, and they want to ensure participants can understand the information provided and give their consent in English.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Adults aged 18 years or older with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of NEL and persistent pleural effusion.
• • Patients who are scheduled for pleural effusion drainage as part of their standard care.
• • Ability to adequately understand verbal or written information in English and provide informed consent in English.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patients with a history of pleurodesis or other procedures that may affect pleural dynamics.
• • Patients with active infections or other acute medical conditions that could interfere with the study.
• • Patient with multifactorial pain and high baseline score pain defined as VAS \>= 5
• • Patients requiring IPC
• • Individuals with known contraindications to pleural drainage or air entrainment.
• • Patients who cannot provide informed consent in English, do not adequately understand verbal or written information in English or have special communication needs.