Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction
Frequently Asked Questions

 

1. What can I expect at home after the procedure?

The procedure is for patients who experience breathlessness with activity due to their severe lung disease.  You may feel less chest tightness, decrease in your shortness of breath with activity, able to exercise longer, walk further, and/or less symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Results vary between patients.

 

2. Will I come off of my oxygen?

This is not a goal of the procedure and should not be an expectation. You will still have severe emphysema in the non-treated lobes of your lung so it is important to continue your oxygen if prescribed.  Your primary pulmonologist can test your oxygen needs after the procedure to see if they have changed.

Although rare, some patients may need more oxygen temporarily after the procedure.  This is the body’s response to the successful lobar reduction as it reroutes blood from that valved lobe to the rest of the lungs. It’s called ventilation-perfusion mismatch. This is usually temporary, usually lasting days to a few months. If it persists, the valves can always be removed if needed

 

3. Are the valves MRI compatible?

Yes

 

4. What happens if the valves do not work?

If the expected outcome, successful lobar reduction of the valved lobe, is not achieved after the procedure, a valve revision will be scheduled. This occurs in about 15% of the patients who receive valves and can be due to a leaking or migrated valve. This is determined at your follow-up clinic visits. A revision requires a repeat procedure with removal and replacement of the valves.

 

5. What happens if I have an exacerbation of my COPD after the procedure?

If you develop a productive cough or wheezing after you are discharged from the hospital, you will contact us. We will evaluate your symptoms and determine if steroids and/or antibiotics are needed. We will treat your exacerbations within the first 30-days of the procedure. Otherwise, you will see your primary pulmonary doctor.

 

6. Do I still need to see my primary pulmonologist?

Yes. You should continue to see your primary pulmonary doctor as scheduled. They will continue to refill and manage all pulmonary medications for your COPD.

 

7. Do I have any restrictions after the procedure?

No. We encourage you to be active and exercise. You may also use your nocturnal ventilation devices (CPAP, BiPAP) if prescribed.

 

8. Should I continue/start pulmonary rehabilitation?

Yes!  Pulmonary rehab has been shown in previous research to improve lung function up to 5%. Regular pulmonary exercises strengthen your respiratory muscles, which in turn decreases shortness of breath symptoms and cough.  It can also improve symptoms of anxiety and depression and overall improve your quality of life. If there is not a local pulmonary rehab in your area, there are on-line programs including pulmonarywellness.org (free & no physician prescription needed) and the Home Rehab Network (free thru insurance, requires a prescription).