A Zephyr Endobronchial Valve System, or Zephyr Valve, is a device doctors use to treat severe cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
A group of progressive lung disorders characterized by increasing breathlessness.
Is the Zephyr valve best for COPD?
“The Zephyr Valve is best suited for patients with advanced COPD who are breathless at rest or with activity despite optimal medical management and who have significant hyperinflation and air trapping due to destruction of lung tissue,” explains Dr. Wassim Labaki, clinical lecturer and research fellow in internal medicine.
What is a Zephyr ® valve procedure?
The one-time procedure is done during a bronchoscopy that requires no cutting or incisions. A typical Zephyr ® valve procedure looks like this: The doctor will give you medicine to make you sleepy. A small tube with a camera, called a bronchoscope, will be inserted into your lungs through your nose or mouth.
Do I have to quit smoking to have the Zephyr® valve treatment?
Yes, you will need to quit smoking at least 4 months prior to receiving the Zephyr Valve Treatment and must refrain from smoking after the procedure. Who can’t have the Zephyr® Valve treatment?
What are the risks and side effects of Zephyr valve treatments?
There are risks and side effects of Zephyr Valve treatments to consider. These are more common during the first 45 days after the procedure. Pneumothorax occurs when there is an air leak or tear in the lung, usually during the first 45 days after the procedure.
Does the Zephyr valve work for COPD?
For patients with severe COPD or emphysema, a new treatment option known as the Zephyr® Endobrachial Valve System has proved successful in improving lung function, exercise capacity and quality of life.
How long can you live with Zephyr valve?
By February 20,2014, 43 patients had died (median survival 883 days). Sixteen are alive (median survival 1,286 days). All side effects associated with valve implantation were endoscopically managed. Figure 1 shows a 967 days endoscopic follow-up of a Zephyr valve.
What is the success rate for Zephyr valves?
Increased exercise ability: A 2018 study found that 54.9% of participants receiving Zephyr Valve treatment managed to return to work, leisure, and exercise activities that previously affected them.
What are the side effects of Zephyr valve?
What are the side effects of Zephyr Valve Treatment?Air leak, also known as Pneumothorax (tear in the lung)Pneumonia.Worsening of Emphysema symptoms.Coughing up blood.Shortness of breath.Chest pain or chest discomfort.Cough.Small (. 03% chance) of death.
What happens after Zephyr valve surgery?
You can go home after 3 to 5 days unless you have side effects like a tear in the lung tissue, which can happen up to 1 in 3 procedures. If this happens your doctor may put a small tube in your chest to let out the air from the tear and may need to stay in the hospital up to a week longer for the tissue to heal.
How long does Zephyr valve surgery take?
The doctor will give you medicine to make you sleepy. A small tube with a camera, called a bronchoscope, will be inserted into your lungs through your nose or mouth. During the 30- to 60-minute procedure your doctor will place between three to five Zephyr Valves in the airways.
What hospitals do Zephyr valves?
Talk to a Zephyr ® Valve Treating Doctor About Whether this Option May Be Right for YouStanford Health Care, Interventional Pulmonology. ... Assessment Center. ... SF Lung & Sleep, California Pacific Medical Center. ... UC Davis Medical Center. ... Kaiser Permanente Roseville Medical Center. ... Mercy Hospital Bakersfield. ... UCLA. ... Cedars - Sinai.More items...
How long can you live with lung valves?
Conclusion: We conclude that LVRS can lead to a very long survival (10 years or more) in a small subgroup of patients, with improvement of pulmonary functional data. Some preoperative data (upper lobe distribution of emphysema and pulmonary arterial pressure) appear to predict survival.
Is the Zephyr valve FDA approved?
FDA approves novel device for treating breathing difficulty from severe emphysema. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved a new device, the Zephyr Endobronchial Valve (Zephyr Valve), intended to treat breathing difficulty associated with severe emphysema.
What is the success rate for lung volume reduction surgery?
In well-selected patients with heterogeneous emphysema, LVRS has a durable long-term outcome at up to 5-years of follow-up. Five-year survival rates in patients range between 63% and 78%.
Is the Zephyr covered by insurance?
With this Priority Health decision, some 30 million U.S. residents with commercial insurance will have Zephyr as a treatment option, if needed. Other major insurers who cover the Zephyr Valve include Humana and Aetna.
What is a zephyr valve?
Zephyr valves are small, minimally invasive synthetic valves developed by Pulmonx Corporation to improve the breathing capacity of people with respiratory illnesses. Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in July 2018, the valves block damaged lung airways, helping healthy lung tissue to work more efficiently.
What is the gold valve?
The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Disease (GOLD) recommends the use of endobronchial valves — such as the Zephyr Valve — for bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) as a standard treatment for people with emphysema or less severe forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). GOLD considers there is “A” rated evidence (the ...
What happens when a patient inhales?
Once the patient inhales, the Zephyr valve closes, preventing air from entering the damaged part of the lung. During exhalation, the valve opens again to let out the trapped air, which relieves pressure inside the lungs.
What is the new zephyr valve?
And while treatments like pulmonary rehabilitation, medications such as bronchodilators and corticosteroids, and lung volume reduction surgery help many people living with COPD, a new option called the Zephyr Valve, which was FDA approved in 2018, is offering hope for patients like Bright who have advanced disease.
How many people die from COPD?
COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, affecting 16 million people. Its symptoms, including chronic cough, fatigue, and shortness of breath, tend to worsen over time.
About The Procedure
- How does the Zephyr®Valve procedure work? The one-time procedure is done during a bronchoscopy that requires no cutting or incisions. A typical Zephyr®valve procedure looks like this: 1. The doctor will give you medicine to make you sleepy. 2. A small tube with a camera, call…
Eligibility, Testing and Insurance
- Who is eligible for the Zephyr®Valve? Generally, those who should be evaluated for Zephyr Valve Treatment are patients who: 1. Have a confirmed diagnosis of COPD or emphysema 2. Have to stop to catch their breath often, even with taking their medication as directed 3. Have reduced lung function (FEV1≤50% predicted) These are general criteria but only a Zephyr Valve trained p…
After The Zephyr® Valve Procedure
- What benefits have people experienced? In 4 randomized, controlled clinical trials, Zephyr Valves have been proven to: 1. Improve Lung Function 2. Improve Exercise Capacity 3. Improve Quality of Life(1) After the procedure will I still have to take my regular medications? Yes, you will likely continue to take your medications as prescribed by your doctor for your condition.