COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
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Lung Reduction Surgery for Severe COPD
Research reported in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (Volume 177, page 174) looks at the benefits of lung volume reduction surgery to remove diseased lung tissue for patients with severe COPD. Here's what the researchers found.
In addition to improving lung function and lowering the risk of death in some people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) may also reduce the frequency of COPD flare-ups and delay the onset of these episodes, according to the study. Lung volume reduction surgery is believed to create more space in the chest cavity for the working lung tissue to expand.
Researchers looked at data from 1,204 people with severe COPD enrolled in the National Emphysema Treatment Trial; half of the participants underwent lung volume reduction surgery while the other half were treated with medical therapy.
In the year before the study, there was no difference between the groups in exacerbation rate or time to the first flare-up. However, three years after treatment people in the lung volume reduction surgery group had 30% fewer exacerbations than those who received medical therapy. In addition, people in the lung volume reduction surgery group had their first flare-up later than those in the medical therapy group.
Bottom line: The researchers note that study participants had severe COPD; therefore, these results may not apply to people with milder forms, and they don't recommend that surgery be used as a treatment specifically for decreasing flare-ups. But if your doctor says you may be a candidate for lung volume reduction surgery, these findings are another factor to add to the "pro" column when weighing your options.
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Lung Reduction Surgery for Severe COPD
Research reported in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (Volume 177, page 174) looks at the benefits of lung volume reduction surgery to remove diseased lung tissue for patients with severe COPD. Here's what the researchers found.
In addition to improving lung function and lowering the risk of death in some people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) may also reduce the frequency of COPD flare-ups and delay the onset of these episodes, according to the study. Lung volume reduction surgery is believed to create more space in the chest cavity for the working lung tissue to expand.
Researchers looked at data from 1,204 people with severe COPD enrolled in the National Emphysema Treatment Trial; half of the participants underwent lung volume reduction surgery while the other half were treated with medical therapy.
In the year before the study, there was no difference between the groups in exacerbation rate or time to the first flare-up. However, three years after treatment people in the lung volume reduction surgery group had 30% fewer exacerbations than those who received medical therapy. In addition, people in the lung volume reduction surgery group had their first flare-up later than those in the medical therapy group.
Bottom line: The researchers note that study participants had severe COPD; therefore, these results may not apply to people with milder forms, and they don't recommend that surgery be used as a treatment specifically for decreasing flare-ups. But if your doctor says you may be a candidate for lung volume reduction surgery, these findings are another factor to add to the "pro" column when weighing your options.
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Johns Hopkins Publications
Johns Hopkins Heart Bulletin
Pam
jnita
i was told i might be a candidate, so, i went thru all the tests. was all ready to have it and during the pre op, 2 days prior to operation...they baiiled on me!!!
my co2 was too high. i've tried to get it down for over a year...adn it hasn't worked. they won't operate on me since it's so high. they're afraid i won't wake up if they put me under. the cat scan and x rays show i dont' have much lung to work with anyway, but it was a hope i had.
so, they do check you out pretty thoroughly before doing it. i'd go for it, if i could.
margaret
LVRS is a viable alternative for me (in spite of the high motality rate on the table) if they approve it, as rescue inhalers don't seem to have any effect. Apparently the areas of the lungs that are affected prevent me from getting any substantial benefit from inhalers. Figures. No sense in shooting oneself in the foot with a .22 when you can drop a cannon ball on it...