Interventional Bronchoscopic Therapies: Non-Surgical Options for COPD
Description: Highlighting minimally invasive procedures like lung volume reduction and bronchial rheoplasty as alternatives to traditional surgery.
Beyond pharmacology, interventional therapies offer new mechanical solutions for patients with severe COPD, particularly those with advanced emphysema. The goal is to improve lung mechanics and make breathing easier without requiring major surgery.
A prime example is bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR), which uses minimally invasive devices like endobronchial valves or coils. By collapsing or reducing the volume of the most diseased parts of the lung, BLVR allows the healthier sections to expand and function more efficiently, leading to reduced shortness of breath and improved exercise capacity. This technique is especially beneficial for patients with heterogeneous emphysema.
Another promising technique for chronic bronchitis is Bronchial Rheoplasty. This procedure uses thermal energy to ablate and regenerate the inflamed mucus-producing cells in the airways, aiming to reduce mucus hypersecretion and chronic cough. These non-surgical options are transforming the management of late-stage COPD, offering clinically significant improvements in quality of life for carefully selected patients.