New Clinical Trial Offers Hope To COPD Patients

Sunday, March 1, 2015

NewClinical Trial Offers Hope To COPD Patients (NAPSA)—There is new hope for the nearly five million Americans suffering from emphysema, an advanced form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A clinical trial is under way studying a new, minimally invasive procedure that may help them breathe easier without surgery. The Problem Emphysema is a progressive disease that creates breathing difficulties, even whena patientis at rest. Patients may be unable to walk short distances, wash their hair or go about basic daily activities without assistance. Emphysema occurs when portions of the lung are destroyed and air is trapped in pockets, hyperinflating the lung. The hyperinflated portion of the lung compresses the healthy areas and the diaphragm, makingit difficult to breathe anddrastically limiting stamina, activity level and quality of life. Smoking is the most common cause of emphysema, but the disease can also be genetic. Today, emphysema patients often use medication andinhalers to improve their symptoms, but over time, their lungs continue to deteriorate. Advanced emphysema patients have no available alternatives but lung volume reduction surgery, which is associated with high morbidity and mortality, and lung transplantation, which is limited by the availability of donor organs. A Possible Solution The LIBERATEclinical trial is studying an investigational, minimally invasive treatment, where A minimally invasive, investiga- tional treatment may enable better breathing and quality of life without surgery. tiny Zephyr Endobronchial Valves are placed in the lungsof qualifying patients to block airflow in diseased sections. This helps the functional sections work moreefficiently, enabling better breathing and restoring an active life. No surgery is involved in the simple, one-hourprocedure. More than 25,000 Zephyr valves have been implanted outside the U.S. in the last 10 years. Clinical studies in Europe have shown that the majority of qualified patients who have the procedure see a significant improvement in lung function, exercise tolerance and quality oflife. The LIBERATEclinical trial will include 183 study participants across the country. Learn More For information on eligibility requirements and to see a com- plete description of the study, go to www.clinicaltrials.gov. For further facts, visit www.pulmonx.com or call 1-888-248-LUNG (1-888248-5864).

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