For the first time, the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) has recommended use of endobronchial valves in bronchoscopic lung volume reduction for patients with advanced emphysema and absence of collateral ventilation.
Background
Each year, GOLD issues a report entitled “Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease,” which is used worldwide as a “strategy” document for healthcare professionals to implement effective management programs based on local healthcare systems. The report issues recommendations for the management of COPD based on the best scientific information available.
GOLD has issued a substantial revision to its management recommendations for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that now includes Pulmonx’s Zephr® Endobronchial Valve (EBV). The updated recommendations are based on new clinical evidence published in the past 15 months supporting Zephyr, including three randomized controlled trials (BeLieVeR-HIFi, STELVIO and IMPACT).
In describing the clinical evidence to support this recommendation, the GOLD report notes, “In select patients with advanced emphysema, bronchoscopic interventions reduce end-expiratory lung volume and improves exercise tolerance, health status and lung function 6-12 months following treatment.”
The Zephyr EBV remains an investigational device in the United States, limited by U.S. law to investigational use only.
Physician comments
“This is the first major update to the GOLD guidance for bronchoscopic interventions, based on recent data,” said Professor Felix Herth, Head of the Department of Internal Medicine, Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine, Thoraxklinik Heidelberg, Germany. “These interventions offer promise for emphysema patients who continue to suffer symptoms, despite optimal pharmacologic management.”
Company comments
“With our tools to help physicians identify the best responders to endobronchial valve treatment, Pulmonx is enabling precision medicine for the treatment of emphysema,” said Glen French, Pulmonx chief executive officer. “We welcome this recognition of the growing body of evidence demonstrating the benefit of EBV treatment for emphysema patients.”
Source: Pulmonx
published: November 21, 2016 in: News, Thoracic/Respiratory