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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want2bwell 11/21/2008

That is something new to me. I have not heard of this Spiration Trial yet and am wondering what it is. Can someone please explain this to me, please. Thanks, Kris

deleted_user 11/21/2008

here are some pictures on it , the valve redirects air to healthy parts of your lung leting out old trapped Air

http://www.emphysematrial.com/whatis.html

want2bwell 11/21/2008

Thank you so much Trenzy. This really helped alot. I understand it better now, but I was just wondering if this can be used in patients with chronic bronchitis as well. Take care.

KyleesNan 11/21/2008

It is only in the trial stages at this point here in the United States. I have been accepted into the trial and it is a slow go. I applied in May and just got accepted about a month ago. I had to go through rehab and several other things just to get accepted. (6 min. walk and FEV tests). After that I finally got to talk to a doctor (last week). Now it seems to be moving quicker. I have a CT Scan on Sunday.

If I pass that I have a lung scan, whatever that is. If I pass that I have a battery of more tests, I think mostly blood work. If I pass that then I have a phyc eval. If I pass that then they you can go in for the valves. It is a blind study. They open the envelope to decide which 50% you are in when you are in the operating room and already knocked out.

They have been approved these valves in 43 European countries and will begin using them over there any time now. It's really difficult to get any data on the European studies. My doctor was very evasive on that.

I don't know what all their criterias is. I do know that big clumps of goop is not going to move through those valves.

deleted_user 11/21/2008

Thought I would try for this as one of the clinic sites is near me, but I did not meet the criteria - perhaps due to having "active asthma", my age or whatever. Sounds most promising though and it sounds like it could help so many.

Good luck, Kyleesnan! Keep us posted, will you?

Thanks.

deleted_user 11/30/2008

KyleesNan, good luck , even with it being a blind study, there is always a 50/50 that you will be one that gets the valve. I can't even qualify for the valve because my lung damage is in the lower lobes. To me 50/50 doesn't look so bad. We all hope to beat the odds. That's why we do these studies, trials, read and research different medications. But it sure beats doing nothing!!!
We are all pulling for you, KyleesNan.
Anna

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