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Seniors with Emphysema May Breath Easier with New
Bronchoscopic Valve
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Spiration
IBV
Valve |
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Clinical trials at UV Health System could lead to new
treatment
Dec. 13, 2005 – More than three million Americans,
including 1.7 million senior citizens, with emphysema may be breathing a
little easier in the future, thanks to a new clinical trial of the
bronchoscopic valve that is underway at the University of Virginia
Health System. The study will test the safety and effectiveness of the
experimental device designed to channel air to healthier portions of the
lung.
The idea is to improve a patient's physical
functioning, tolerance for exercise and general quality of life.
The study device works by limiting airflow to a
selected portion of the lung in patients with emphysema. The
bronchoscopic valve is implanted without an incision, hopefully
providing an alternative to lung volume reduction surgery.
The device is a small valve shaped like an
umbrella. It's placed in the bronchial tree to prevent air from entering
targeted sections of the lung. Doctors successfully implanted the device
in UVa's first patient Dec. 2, the first time the device has been used
in a clinical trial in the Southeast.
"UVa was selected to participate in this important
study because of our extensive experience in treating patients with
emphysema," said Dr. Jonathon Truwit, professor of internal medicine and
head of pulmonary and critical care medicine at UVa. "This is a large
patient population with a need for new treatment options. As one of just
twenty medical centers in the world participating in the trial, we are
pleased to be involved in this innovative study."
Lung disease is a growing health problem in the
U.S. and around the world. According to the American Lung Association
(ALA), 110,000 Americans die each year from chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease or COPD, the fourth leading cause of death by disease
in the U.S. Emphysema is the most serious form of this disease and is
usually caused by cigarette smoking. According to the ALA, about three
million Americans have been diagnosed with emphysema in recent years.
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Percentage Distribution of Emphysema by
Age - 2003
In 2003 there were 3,114,666 cases of
emphysema. Senior citizens 65 and older were 1,698,878 of these
cases, or 54.5% of all cases in the U.S.
Source: National
Center for Health Statistics. National Health Interview Survey
2003 |
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This lung disease begins with the destruction of
air sacs called alveoli where oxygen from the air is exchanged for
carbon dioxide in the blood. As these air sacs are destroyed, the lungs
are able to transfer less and less oxygen to the bloodstream, causing
shortness of breath. The lungs also lose their elasticity, which is
important to keep airways open. Emphysema doesn't develop suddenly.
Years of exposure to the irritation of cigarette smoke usually precede
its development.
The trial is sponsored by the developer of the
valve, Spiration, Inc.
About Spiration, Inc.
Spiration, Inc., designs and manufactures
innovative thoracic and intra-bronchial medical devices for the
treatment of lung disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD), specifically emphysema. COPD is the fourth leading cause
of death in the US and fifth globally. More than 3 million people in the
U.S. have been diagnosed with emphysema, according to the American Lung
Association. Up to this point, there has been little innovation in
devices and treatments in the pulmonary area.
What the company says:
"The IBV™ Valve is a non-surgical investigational
device designed to limit airflow to selected portions of the lung, which
may improve the patients overall health, disability and impairment
status.
"The device is a small umbrella-shaped valve placed
in the bronchial tree using standard bronchoscopic techniques to seal
targeted airways. The one-way valves are designed to prevent air from
entering isolated sections of the lung while allowing the normal
clearance mechanism of secretions to occur. By limiting ventilation in
part of the diseased lungs, the remaining healthier portions of lung may
function with better efficiency. The valve's design allows it to be
easily delivered using standard bronchoscopic tools. The valve is
intended to be permanent, but is designed to be removed, if necessary.
"This non-surgical therapy may represent a valuable
option for the palliative treatment of emphysema patients. The
bronchoscopic valve procedure is presently undergoing clinical
evaluation."
More information can also be found on Spiration's
website at:
http://www.spirationinc.com/ibv_system.asp.
For more information about lung disease:
American Lung
Association (click
to Website)
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