Chest
Volume 159, Issue 5, May 2021, Pages 1833-1842
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COPD: How I Do It
Endobronchial Valves for the Treatment of Advanced Emphysema

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2020.12.007Get rights and content
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Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction with one-way endobronchial valves is a guideline treatment option for patients with advanced emphysema that is supported by extensive scientific data. Patients limited by severe hyperinflation, with a suitable emphysema treatment target lobe and with absence of collateral ventilation, are the responders to this treatment. Detailed patient selection, a professional treatment performance, and dedicated follow up of the valve treatment, including management of complications, are key ingredients to success. This treatment does not stand alone; it especially requires extensive knowledge of COPD for which the most appropriate treatment is discussed in a multidisciplinary approach. We discuss the endobronchial valve treatment for emphysema and provide a guideline for patient selection, treatment guidance, and practice tools, based on our own experience and literature.

Key Words

bronchoscopy
COPD
emphysema
endobronchial valve
lung volume reduction

Abbreviations

BLVR
bronchoscopic lung volume reduction
Dlco
diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide
EBV
endobronchial valve
FCS
fissure completeness score
HRCT
high resolution CT
LVR
lung volume reduction
QCT
quantitative CT
RV
residual volume

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