Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction: A Narrative Review and Proposal for the Inclusion Criteria

TL;DR

This paper reviews and suggests new criteria for selecting patients for a lung volume reduction procedure to treat severe COPD.

Contribution

The paper proposes expanded inclusion criteria for bronchoscopic lung volume reduction based on prior clinical trials.

Findings

Expanded criteria may increase patient referrals for bronchoscopic lung volume reduction.

The procedure has been shown to reduce morbidity and mortality in eligible patients.

Abstract

Emphysema is an irreversible lung disease with significant morbidity and mortality, with limited treatment options in advanced stages. Recent guidelines support the use of endobronchial valves for bronchoscopic lung volume reduction in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary obstruction (COPD). Following a detailed examination of the inclusion and exclusion criteria of previously reported clinical trials, we propose expanded patient selection criteria. This proposal may increase patient referrals and patients deemed eligible for a procedure, which has been shown to decrease morbidity and mortality.