If you or someone you know is one of the 3.5 million Americans living with emphysema, a new, minimally invasive therapy could offer hope for improved lung function and quality of life.

Emphysema is a progressive form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which is characterized by loss of elasticity and enlargement of the alveolar space in the lung. As a result, the diseased portion of the lung becomes hyperinflated, causing significant breathing challenges.

One of the most effective treatment options for severe emphysema is a minimally invasive procedure called bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR).

During a BLVR procedure, a physician inserts tiny devices called endobronchial valves into the airways of the lungs. The valves block off diseased parts of the lung and allow healthier sections to expand and function more efficiently. For qualified patients, the result can be better lung function, easier breathing, improved exercise tolerance, and a better quality of life.

The effectiveness of BLVR as a treatment option for advanced emphysema is supported by data from multiple international clinical studies:

• 2017 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD)*

• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Interventional Procedures Guidance (NICE)*

Introducing the Spiration® Valve System 

Created by Olympus, the Spiration Valve System (SVS) is an innovative endobronchial valve technology that offers patients with severe emphysema a customized, minimally invasive treatment option for lung volume reduction. In clinical trials, patients treated with the SVS experienced improved breathing, lung function, and quality of life.*

The umbrella-shaped device is made up of five anchors that securely engage the airway walls at targeted treatment locations. In appropriately selected patients, endobronchial valve treatment with the Spiration Valve System can significantly improve the symptoms of emphysema.*

What to Expect 

Patients are selected for this procedure through a screening process that involves a thorough patient evaluation, including comorbidities, and high-resolution CT scans.*

Your doctor will determine from your test results if you are an appropriate candidate for SVS. If you are eligible, you can expect the following on the day of the procedure:

1. Your doctor will give you medication that will make you sleepy (sedation) or unconscious (anesthesia).
2. Using a bronchoscope (a thin tube with a camera that is inserted through your mouth), your doctor will place the Spiration Valves in your airways.
3. You may be required to stay overnight in the hospital after the procedure so your physician may observe you to ensure the valves are working properly.
4. Your doctor will give you instructions for your care at home, including which medicines you should take and any necessary follow-up visits.

If you are continuing to experience severe emphysema symptoms despite medical management and pulmonary rehabilitation, it may be time to consider the Spiration Valve System procedure. Please give us a call at (423) 710-3864 or make an appointment online so we can help you determine if you are a candidate for SVS.

We are here to Help You Breathe Better Again – The Lung Docs