Zephyr Endobronchial Valve Treatment illustration

Zephyr Endobronchial Valve Treatment

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How it works

Detail of Zephyr Endobronchial Valve placement

(Click to enlarge)

The Zephyr Valve does not require cutting or incisions. It is a procedure that places tiny valves in your airways which allow the healthier parts of your lungs to expand, thereby lifting pressure off the diaphragm and helping you breathe more easily.

If your doctor determines that you are a good candidate for the Zephyr Valve, the procedure will be performed as follows:

Step 1

The doctor will give you medicine to make you sleepy.

Step 2

A small tube with a camera, called a bronchoscope, will be inserted into your lungs through your nose or mouth.

Step 3

During the 30- to 60-minute procedure your doctor will place between three to five Zephyr Valves in the airways.

Step 4

You will likely stay in the hospital for a minimum of three nights for observation.

Step 5

After the procedure, you will continue to use the medicines that your doctor has prescribed for your condition.

New device proven to help emphysema patients breathe easier, be more active and enjoy a better quality of life.

More than 15 million Americans suffer from COPD, with 3.5 million of those patients being diagnosed with emphysema.

Emphysema is a form of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease commonly known as COPD. In severe emphysema, the walls of the air sacs in the lungs called the alveoli are weakened and rupture, creating larger air spaces – this is known as hyperinflation.

When this occurs, the air sacs do not work properly and old air becomes trapped in the damaged areas. This causes the diseased parts of the lung to get larger and put pressure on the healthy parts of the lungs and diaphragm. As a result, patients may find it difficult to breathe properly and take full, deep breaths.

COPD is a progressive disease and gets worse over time. Emphysema is a severe form of COPD. People who suffer from emphysema live with severe shortness of breath that often prevents them from doing simple daily activities without pausing to catch their breath or resting.

Symptoms of emphysema include the following: (If you experience any of these symptoms and are not currently being treated, you should speak to your doctor immediately.)

  • Inability to catch your breath
  • Fatigue or low energy
  • Persistent cough
  • Wheezing
  • Difficulty performing normal daily activities such as bathing, getting dressed, doing housework, walking or eating without feeling breathless
  • Chest pain or tightness
  • Blue or gray lips or fingernails when active
  • Frequent respiratory infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia
  • Production of sputum or phlegm

Emphysema cannot be cured, but the right treatment can help you breathe better, be more active, and improve your quality of life.

Zephyr Endobronchial Valve treatment

Columbus Regional Hospital's Lung Institute is the first in Indiana to offer a new lung valve treatment for patients with severe COPD/emphysema. Approved by the FDA under their "Breakthrough Devices" status, the Zephyr Endobronchial Valve treatment represents a major advancement because it is the first minimally invasive procedure to help emphysema sufferers breathe easier without major surgery.

The Benefits of Zephyr® Valves

Patients report being able to take full breaths immediately after the procedure and within a few days are back to doing everyday tasks with ease. In clinical studies patients treated with Zephyr Valves have been shown to:

  • Breathe easier
  • Be more active and energetic
  • Be less short of breath
  • Enjoy a significantly improved quality of life compared to untreated patients.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the zephyr Valve?

The first FDA-approved, minimally-invasive device available in the U.S. for treating patients with severe emphysema.

Who is the Zephyr Valve for?

Severe emphysema patients who consistently feel short of breath despite using COPD medications and/or oxygen.

What are the benefits of the Zephyr Valve?

Patients report being able to take full breaths immediately after the procedure and within a few days are back to doing everyday tasks with ease.

How does the procedure work?

The one-time procedure is done during a bronchoscopy that requires no cutting or incisions. During the procedure, tiny valves are placed in the airways to block off the diseased part of the lungs. The valves reduce hyperinflation, preventing air from being trapped in the diseased area of the lung and allowing healthier parts of the lung to take in more air. This results in the patient being able to breathe easier.

Who can have the Zephyr Valve treatment?

Before you are treated, your doctor will check to see if there is an appropriate part of your lung for treatment with Zephyr Valves.

Who cannot have the Zephyr Valve treatment?

You cannot have this treatment if you:

  • Are unable to have a bronchoscopic procedure
  • Have an active lung infection
  • Have an allergy to Nitinol, nickel, titanium or silicone
  • Have not stopped smoking
  • An air pocket (bullae) that is greater than 1/3 of the size of the lung