PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Alban Lovis AU - Irini Lemontzi AU - Giovanni Galluccio TI - Endoscopic lung volume reduction (ELVR) with the “endobronchial Miyazawa valve” (EMV) in patients with severe emphysema, a prospective pilot study DP - 2011 Sep 01 TA - European Respiratory Journal PG - p3535 VI - 38 IP - Suppl 55 4099 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p3535.short 4100 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p3535.full SO - Eur Respir J2011 Sep 01; 38 AB - Introduction: The ELVR represent a new minimally invasive palliative option for the treatment of severe emphysema. The EMV is a new device with different characteristics compared to the others (a simple all in silicone structure, with a large opening, inexpensive, and without special delivery system) and is little studied. We believe this unidirectional valve is effective in reducing lung hyperinflation and improving lung function and dyspnea of a subtype of emphysema patients. We report here the data at one month for the first two patientsMethod: Patients are affected from severe (FEV1<40%) heterogeneous emphysema and major hyperinflation (RV>130%). The Outcomes are the adverse effects, lung functions, exercice capacity and quality of life. The EMVs have been inserted through a rigid bronchoscope in the target segmental or lobar bronchi supplying the most hyperinflated parts of the lung in order to achieve an unilateral treatment with lobar exclusion.Results: Baseline to 1 month after insertion. The patients A and B have improved in quality of life (St George's respiratory questionnaire A -9,B -18 points, pulmonary function (FEV1 A 0.51 to 0.62L and B 0.9 to 1.4L, RV A 4.49 to 2.53L and B 5.6 to 5.2L DLCO A 38 to 55.2% B 25 to 33% of predicted value) and exercise capacity (6 min. walk test A +65m. B +120m.). No atelectasis was visible on radiological control but signs of air trapping were reduced.Adverse effects: Two episodes of bronchospasm in the first patient well controlled by medical therapy, and none in the second.Conclusion: Our preliminary encouraging experience describe a new tool for the therapy of selected emphysema patients.