Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) typically have emphysema.
Emphysema causes lung tissues to prevent patients from completely exhaling air. This causes the lungs to trap a significant amount of air in them.
As the person continues breathing, the lungs enlarge, becoming overinflated as they try to breathe in fresh air to supply oxygen to the body.
Emphysema can damage the lungs permanently if not treated in time. Hence, doctors continue to seek new ways to treat emphysema effectively!
One of the newest treatment options for patients with severe emphysema is bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR).
What is this new treatment for emphysema?
BLVR is the latest treatment for emphysema approved by the FDA. It is a minimally invasive alternative to the existing lung volume reduction surgery to treat severe emphysema.
Interventional pulmonologists can perform BLVR without incisions or stitches to treat lung hyperinflation. BLVR aids people with severe emphysema that does not improve with other standard treatments, such as medications, pulmonary rehabilitation, and oxygen treatment.
BLVR treatment is used on a lung section called the lobe, which is most diseased with emphysema. During the procedure, a doctor uses a catheter to place three to five Zephyr valves inside the lung.
The valves allow trapped air to escape the lobe until the lung volume of the treated lobe is reduced, improving a person’s ability to breathe more comfortably.
The entire procedure takes between 30 – 60 minutes.
After the procedure, patients normally stay in the hospital for two to three days before being discharged.
When considering treatment, it is natural to think about its results.
If so, we have mentioned the known benefits of the BLVR procedure.
Please read them carefully!
What are the benefits of the latest treatment for emphysema?
BLVR improves patients’ conditions with benefits such as:
However, it’s important to remember that not everyone undergoing the BLVR procedure will experience the same benefits.
You should know many more things before going for the BLVR procedure.
We have curated them just for you!
What Should You Know Before Considering the New Treatment for Emphysema?
- BLVR should not replace inhaler medications, oxygen therapy, or pulmonary rehab.
- BLVR is for people who are not getting effective results despite being on maximal therapy.
- BLVR is usually advised if there are no alternative treatments for the patient.
- A lung function test, a chest CT scan, an echocardiogram, and more tests are needed to determine eligibility for BLVR.
- Patients must quit smoking, participate in pulmonary rehab and continue to use medications for the BLVR procedure.
References:
https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/uptodate
