The study enrolled 53 patients who underwent 101 LVRC procedures, including 46 bilateral (both lungs) procedures and nine unilateral procedures. In each procedure, the clinicians implanted from eight to 14 coils, resulting in a study total of 1,070 coils being implanted. Safety was evaluated by recording all adverse events that occurred within the first 30 days following treatment, as well as those that occurred between 30 days and six months of treatment. Efficacy was measured by quality-of-life questionnaires, pulmonary function testing and exercise testing, all performed six months following treatment. Reported adverse events included exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, collapsed lung, chest pain and mild hemoptysis, or coughing up blood, which could be managed with standard care.
The researchers found that LVRC treatment resulted in significant improvement in respiratory measurements at six months, especially in patients whose lungs were severely hyperinflated. In this group, LVRC therapy resulted in significant improvements in lung function, hyperinflation, exercise capacity and quality of life measurements. In fact, severe hyperinflation at baseline appeared to be an indicator of better outcomes, Dr. Slebos noted.
"Hyperinflation of lung tissue is one of the key pathophysiological features of emphysema that is responsible for shortness of breath, and its magnitude seems to be a good indicator of successful LVRC treatment," he said.
Dr. Slebos said the trial is ongoing and continues to collect data.
"The results so far indicate that the LVRC is a safe and effective choice for treating patients with severe heterogeneous emphysema where current medical treatment fails, and as we continue to collect follow-up data, we hopefully will have a more complete profile of its ap
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| Contact: Nathaniel Dunford ndunford@thoracic.org 212-315-8620 American Thoracic Society Source:Eurekalert |