Bronchial Lung Volume Reduction

Jupiter Medical Center’s Thoracic Surgery and Lung Center is offering a new lung valve treatment for patients with severe COPD/emphysema. Recently approved by the FDA under their “Breakthrough Devices” status, the Zephyr Endobronchial Valve treatment representants a major advancement because it is the first minimally invasive procedure to help emphysema sufferers breathe easier without major surgery. Done through a simple bronchoscopy, the valves improve patients’ quality of life by allowing them to breathe easier, be less short of breath, and be more active and energetic.

The one-time procedure is done during a simple bronchoscopy that requires no cutting or incisions. During the procedure, on average 4 tiny valves are placed in the airways to block off the diseased parts of the lungs where air gets trapped. Keeping air from getting trapped in the diseased parts of the lung allows the healthier parts of the lungs to expand and take in more air. This results in patients being able to breathe easier and have less shortness of breath.

Emphysema is a progressive and life-threatening lung disease, and a severe form of COPD (chronic pulmonary obstructive disease). There is no cure and patients live with severe shortness of breath that keeps them from doing simple daily activities like walking, or taking a shower, without pausing to catch their breath or resting. This extreme shortness of breath is caused when air becomes trapped in parts of the lung that are damaged by the disease. This trapped air causes the damaged areas of the lungs to get larger which puts pressure on the healthy parts of the lungs and diaphragm. During this short procedure, on average a physician places 4 tiny valves in the airways to block off the damage areas of the lungs so air no longer gets trapped there. This allows the healthier parts of the lungs to expand and relieves the pressure on the diaphragm, which decreases shortness of breath and makes breathing easier.

More on the Zephyr Valves:

The Zephyr® Valves were fast-tracked through the FDA’s “Breakthrough Device” status because they “offer bronchoscopic lung volume reduction without surgery and its associated risks.” The FDA’s approval was based on the results of four randomized controlled clinical trials, including the US approval study, LIBERATE. Data from the study showed that implantation of the Zephyr Valves successfully reduced shortness of breath while improving lung function, exercise capacity, and quality of life.¹ These benefits lasted at least one-year post-treatment for patients with severe emphysema.

The Zephyr Valves were approved by the FDA in July 2018. Since 2007, more than 15,000 patients have been treated with The Zephyr Valve worldwide. Zephyr Valve treatment is included in emphysema treatment recommendations issued by leading health organizations worldwide, including the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) and the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

COPD / Emphysema Treatment

Zephyr^® Endobronchial Valve Procedure

What is the Zephyr® Valve:

The first FDA-approved, minimally-invasive device available in the U.S. for treating patients with severe emphysema.

Who is the Zephyr^® Valve for?

Severe emphysema patients who consistently feel short of breath despite using COPD medications and/or oxygen.

What are the Benefits of Zephyr^® Valves?

Patients report being able to take full breaths immediately after the procedure and within a few days are back to doing everyday tasks with ease. In clinical studies patients treated with Zephyr^® Valves have been shown to¹:

• Breathe easier
• Be more active and energetic
• Be less short of breath
• Enjoy a significantly improved quality of life compared to untreated patients.

How does the Procedure Work?

The one-time procedure is done during a bronchoscopy that requires no cutting or incisions. During the procedure, on average 4 tiny valves are placed in the airways to block off the diseased parts of the lungs. The valves reduce hyperinflation, preventing air from being trapped in the diseased area of the lung and allowing healthier parts of the lung to take in more air. This results in patients being able to breathe easier. Patients treated have reported immediate relief.

What can Patients Expect?

A typical Zephyr^® valve procedure looks like this:

• The doctor will give you medicine to make you sleepy.
• A small tube with a camera, called a bronchoscope, will be inserted into your lungs through your nose or mouth.
• During the procedure on average the doctor will place 4 Zephyr Valves in the airways.
• You will stay in the hospital for approximately 3 nights for observation.
• After the procedure, you will continue to use the medicines that your doctor has prescribed for your condition.

To find a Jupiter Medical Center physician who performs Bronchial Lung Volume Reduction, call 561-263-5737.