Saint Joseph, National Jewish Health pioneer advanced therapy to help COPD patients breathe easier

Saint Joseph and National Jewish Health now offer a new minimally invasive therapy that helps patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease breathe easier, be more active, and improve their daily quality of life.

Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction, known as BLVR, uses small one-way valves placed into the airways to reduce lung hyperinflation. Lung hyperinflation develops when the lungs can't completely push out air during exhalation. This leads to air being trapped and the lungs overexpanding, which puts the patient at risk for heart and breathing complications.

Saint Joseph Hospital and National Jewish Health are the only hospitals in the market offering this therapy.

“Our goal is to identify the patients who will benefit most from this therapy,” said Kristen Glisinski, MD, Pulmonary Disease. “When someone is a good candidate, BLVR can make a meaningful difference in their ability to breathe and stay active.”

Because BLVR is effective only for select patients, individuals undergo a comprehensive outpatient evaluation before the procedure. Assessments are available at both hospitals and include CT imaging, pulmonary function testing and a clinical review of medical history. Patients must meet specific lung-function criteria and can’t be current smokers.

“While valves are not the right answer for every patient with COPD, the therapy has improved the quality of life for many,” said Sohini Ghosh, MD, Pulmonary Disease. “It is a great option for treating a chronic disease with limited treatment options.”

The procedure is performed at Saint Joseph using a bronchoscope and requires no incisions. Most patients are monitored in the hospital for at least three nights and continue their prescribed COPD medications after discharge.

Medical staff members with questions about this new therapy can contact Glisinski and Ghosh via email or check out the website here.