PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Tuleta, Izabela AU - Pizarro, Carmen AU - Molitor, Ernst AU - Kristiansen, Glen AU - Nickenig, Georg AU - Juergens, Uwe AU - Skowasch, Dirk TI - <em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</em> – associated COPD exacerbations after endoscopic endobronchial valve implantation AID - 10.1183/13993003.congress-2016.PA1865 DP - 2016 Sep 01 TA - European Respiratory Journal PG - PA1865 VI - 48 IP - suppl 60 4099 - https://publications.ersnet.org//content/48/suppl_60/PA1865.short 4100 - https://publications.ersnet.org//content/48/suppl_60/PA1865.full SO - Eur Respir J2016 Sep 01; 48 AB - Background: Endobronchial valve implantation is an established therapy of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with severe emphysema. However, it is limited by several complications. Aim of our present study was to identify factors underlying increased rates of COPD exacerbations after endoscopic lung volume reduction treatment.Methods: Endobronchial Zephyr valves were explanted in 7 patients because of increased COPD exacerbations (group 1) and in 7 patients because of other reasons (group 2). In third group of patients (n=7) the valves functioned well and did not have to be removed. Microbiological analyses of tracheal secret with or without valve lavage have been performed before valve implantation and explantation. The levels of C-reactive protein and leukocytes were determined in blood.Results: The microbiological analysis of the tracheal secret and valve lavage after valve explantation showed an significant increase in the detection of Gram-negative bacteria with a clear predominance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the first vs. second group. At baseline, there were no relevant pathological microbes in either of the both groups. Interestingly, the microbiological examination of the tracheal secret in the patients from the group 3 demonstrated no pathogens before valve implantation and in time course during the control bronchoscopy. Inflammatory markers did not show any significant differences between the groups at baseline or at follow-up.Conclusions: Increased COPD exacerbation rates after endobronchial valve implantation may be associated with the detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.