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April 17
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MyCOPDTeam

What minimally invasive procedures are available for COPD?

There are several minimally invasive surgical options that may help with severe COPD symptoms when other treatments haven't worked well enough. These procedures can improve breathing and quality of life, though they don't cure COPD.

Endobronchial Valve Therapy Show Full Answer

What minimally invasive procedures are available for COPD?

There are several minimally invasive surgical options that may help with severe COPD symptoms when other treatments haven't worked well enough. These procedures can improve breathing and quality of life, though they don't cure COPD.

Endobronchial Valve Therapy (EVT) is one of the least invasive options. One-way valves are placed into damaged lung portions using a bronchoscope (a tube inserted through your mouth or nose) - no incisions needed. This can make breathing easier for people with severe emphysema. Most people spend two or three nights in the hospital.

Lung Volume Reduction Surgery (LVRS) removes 20-35% of diseased tissue from your lungs, helping your diaphragm work better. This minimally invasive approach can reduce shortness of breath.

Bullectomy removes large air pockets (bullae) that press on healthy lung tissue, though most people don't have large enough air pockets to qualify.

To be a candidate, you typically need to be strong enough for recovery, participate in pulmonary rehab regularly, and not smoke. Your doctor can help determine if you meet the criteria and discuss potential risks like pneumonia, collapsed lung, or blood clots.

These procedures can help you feel better and breathe easier, even though they don't change your overall lung health.

April 17
A MyCOPDTeam Member

@A MyCOPDTeam Member
Hello Nancy. Yes I am sceeening now for a clinical trial called TLD Targeted Lung Dernevation it’s an out patient procedure it’s in the 4 phase. The first 3 phases showed promise. I go to Mayo in Jacksonville. I live about a hour from there. It’s a great hospital I love it. Ask A.I on here and c what it says about this trial. Go to the Q &A at the top and put in this trial name I did. The zephyr valves didnt qualify for. If u go to Mayo clinic web page and search clinical trials for COPD they list all the criteria to qualify for each on. I tried for the Breathe 3 also but that has very strict criteria. I’m a member of the zephyr valve group in Jacksonville. There r good and bad stories. Do u research please. I already signed consent for the TLD trial and should get it by end of June. I go June 12 for my PFT. I have no other medical issues except COPD but that bad enough. I will still b on O2 but hopefully it will help with my shortness of breath They also pay u for procedure and travel. Contact them and make an appointment. They do video visits also. Dr Soto Soto is my doctor for my trial. Let me know if u have more questions here’s my email (Email address can only be seen by the question and answer creators) if u want to talk privately.
Hope this helped u
Dawn

May 31
A MyCOPDTeam Member

Removal of damaged tissue. I suggest researching.

April 17
A MyCOPDTeam Member

Thank You NancyLange for the info! I personally don’t qualify for any of them but I think for the people they do it is Great!

April 19
A MyCOPDTeam Member

I have had the Zephyr valves wich I believe helped a lot.🙂

April 17

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Dallas, NC