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  • Title: [Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction in patients with severe homogeneous lung emphysema: a pilot study].
    Author: Eberhardt R, Heussel CP, Kreuter M, Weinheimer O, Herth FJ.
    Journal: Dtsch Med Wochenschr; 2009 Mar; 134(11):506-10. PubMed ID: 19259905.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: After bronchoscopic lung-volume reduction (LVR) improvement in pulmonary function and exercising tolerance can be achieved in patients with severe heterogeneous lung emphysema. Feasibility and safety for one-way valve placement in homogeneous emphysema were evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten patients entered this prospective study. In all cases a homogeneous distribution was confirmed by computer analysis of the CT-scans. We performed unilateral LVR and occluded the lobe with the lowest perfusion, measured by nuclear scintigraphy. Endpoints of the study were changes in lung function test, quality of life and 6-minutes-walk-test (6-MWT) at day 30 and 90 and the safety of the procedure. RESULTS: Preoperative mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was 0.93 l (range 0.55 - 1.35 l), mean residual volume was 5.23 l (3.55 - 8.24 l) and 6-MWT was 325 m ( 150 - 480 m). Improvement of dyspnoe and exercising tolerance was reported in 7 cases. No major changes in lung function were evident at days 30 and 90. A trend towards improvement was observed in 6-MWT (DeltaMW + 10.4 +/- 9.8 %). One pneumothorax was noticed, in one case the valves were removed after 90 days because of recurrent infections. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that bronchoscopic LVR in patients with severe homogeneous emphysema is feasible and seems to be safe. In contrast to surgical LVR patients may have a cinical benefit by bronchoscopic treatment. Longtime follow -up and patient selection criteria have to be examined in larger trials.
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