Breathe Easier: A Minimally Invasive Treatment for Emphysema and COPD
Breathlessness can stop you from walking across a room, running errands, or simply talking without gasping for air.
For people with emphysema or COPD, everyday tasks become exhausting, and the idea of relief might seem out of reach.
But there’s hope. A minimally invasive procedure called endobronchial valve treatment is helping patients breathe easier and reclaim their lives—without major surgery.
Endobronchial valve treatment is a minimally invasive option for patients with severe emphysema or with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as COPD.
What is Endobronchial Valve Treatment?
Endobronchial valve treatment is a minimally invasive procedure that improves breathing for people with severe emphysema or COPD.
Here’s how it works:
- The Procedure: Using a small, flexible tube called a bronchoscope, the doctor carefully places tiny, one-way valves into the airways of the damaged lung.
- How the Valves Help: These valves allow trapped air in the damaged lung to escape while preventing new air from entering. This helps the lung deflate properly, reducing pressure and improving overall lung function.
- No Incisions Needed: Because the procedure is done through the airways, there’s no need for surgery or large incisions, leading to faster recovery times.
Most patients stay in the hospital for a short period to monitor progress. Many experience noticeable relief soon after the procedure, allowing them to breathe easier and reclaim their daily activities.
1. The Magic of Better Breathing: A Life Transformed
One of this treatment's most inspiring aspects is how it transforms lives. Patients describe experiencing a powerful moment of relief—realizing they can breathe freely again and reclaim their lives.
Take, for example, a patient who went from being confined to his living room to traveling the country in an RV. Or another who rejoined her bowling league after years of sitting on the sidelines. One man even called to share that after his treatment, he could move into his own apartment, buy a truck, and feel independent again—something he never thought possible.
This is the power of endobronchial valve treatment: It’s not just about better breathing—it’s about giving you your life back.
Dr. Gregory White, a leading pulmonologist in Texarkana, describes this transformative moment as the magic breath
a life-changing realization when you can breathe freely again and do the things that matter most.
What we’re really, truly fighting for is breathing functionality
Dr. White said. You know what you want to do and how can we get you there to do it. It’s really cool what people can do once their breathing improves.
2. Enhanced Quality of Life
The ability to breathe easier has a significant impact on quality of life.
After receiving endobronchial valve treatment, many patients report that they’re able to perform everyday tasks that were previously challenging, such as walking, climbing stairs, or even just talking without feeling breathless.
This improvement enables people to become more active and regain a sense of independence and freedom that may have been taken away.
We’ve had patients go back to work,
Dr. White said. They start tethered, living in their living room, just going from their bathroom to their couch to now going on vacations.
3. Reduced Symptoms Without Major Surgery
Traditionally, lung volume reduction surgery, or LVRS, was the primary option for severe emphysema or COPD, which involves removing parts of the damaged lung. While effective, LVRS is an invasive procedure with a longer recovery time and greater risks.
In contrast, endobronchial valve treatment is minimally invasive and is performed through a bronchoscopy procedure. There is no need for incisions, and the procedure is generally shorter, resulting in a faster recovery time.
Most patients can go home within a few days, and many experience symptom relief shortly after the procedure. This makes it a safer alternative for patients who may not be ideal candidates for more intensive surgery.
4. Reduced Hyperinflation of the Lungs
Hyperinflation, or the over-expansion of the lungs, is a common issue in patients with emphysema or COPD. This occurs when damaged lung tissues trap air, preventing the lungs from fully deflating.
Hyperinflation places a significant burden on the lungs, making it more challenging to take in fresh air with each breath.
Endobronchial valves help reduce this hyperinflation by allowing trapped air to escape, thereby decreasing the overall size of the lungs. As a result, the lungs can deflate more effectively, and the chest muscles don’t have to work as hard to breathe.
This relief allows patients to conserve energy and feel less fatigued in their daily activities.
5. Increased Exercise Capacity
Being able to stay physically active is crucial for both physical and mental health, but it’s something many emphysema or COPD patients struggle with due to breathlessness and fatigue.
After endobronchial valve treatment, many patients experience an improvement in exercise tolerance. This means they can walk longer distances, perform more activities, and engage in low-impact exercises like swimming or biking.
Staying active not only supports lung health but also strengthens the cardiovascular system, improves mood, and enhances muscle strength. For patients, these improvements can lead to a more fulfilling, active life.
Dr. White said patients often experience quick improvement after receiving endobronchial valve treatment.
We've had patients that go from walking 60 feet and by day three, they’re walking 600 feet,
he said.
6. Lower Risk of Complications Compared to Traditional Surgery
Because endobronchial valve treatment is minimally invasive, it carries a lower risk of complications than traditional lung volume reduction surgery.
The procedure itself is generally safe, with fewer side effects and a lower risk of infection or other post-surgical complications.
Patients can return to their daily lives faster and with a lower chance of long-term issues, allowing them to benefit from the treatment without major disruptions to their routines.
7. May Delay the Need for Further Treatment
While endobronchial valve treatment may not cure emphysema or COPD, it can significantly improve symptoms and may delay the need for more invasive treatments in the future.
For many patients, this treatment provides relief that lasts for months or even years, allowing them to manage their symptoms and enjoy a higher quality of life without needing additional intervention.
This potential to delay further treatment can offer peace of mind to patients and allow them to focus on maintaining their health and well-being.
Patients have to have the motivation and the wherewithal to want to get better,
Dr. White said.
Is Endobronchial Valve Treatment Right for You?
Endobronchial valve treatment is an innovative option for emphysema or COPD patients seeking relief from severe symptoms without major surgery.
The benefits of this treatment are substantial, ranging from improved breathing and reduced lung hyperinflation to enhanced exercise capacity and quality of life.
Endobronchial valve treatment provides a pathway to a more active, fulfilling life with fewer limitations and a quicker recovery time for those struggling with daily activities due to shortness of breath.
If you or a loved one is dealing with the challenges of emphysema or COPD, consider speaking with a health care provider to determine if endobronchial valve treatment may be the right choice for you.