Do you find it increasingly difficult to breathe even when you walk briskly or climb stairs? Do you feel like your chest is full of air and you can't breathe anymore? This is a common problem that many people experience with emphysema , a severe form of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). But don't worry, there are modern treatments that can help you manage this condition. Today, we are going to talk about one such special treatment.
What is BLVR? Let's understand it simply.
BLVR, which stands for Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction , is a treatment that, simply put, allows air that is unnecessarily trapped in your lungs to escape.
Think of your lungs as two balloons. In emphysema, air can enter some parts of your lungs but cannot fully escape. The damaged parts then become inflated, reducing the space available for the healthy parts of your lungs to work. This makes it hard to breathe, and you feel tired and short of breath.
So in this BLVR treatment, doctors insert a bronchoscope , a thin tube with a camera attached, down your throat and into your lungs. Then, they insert a series of tiny one-way valves into the abnormally enlarged lung areas.
These valves allow trapped air to escape when you exhale, but when you breathe in again, they stop air from entering the damaged areas.
Over time, this reduces the amount of air trapped in your lungs, causes your lungs to shrink a bit, and start working more efficiently. This will greatly reduce your shortness of breath and fatigue.
The important thing is that BLVR is not a cure for emphysema or a life-extending treatment. The main goal is to control symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Who is this treatment really suitable for?
BLVR treatment is not for everyone. There are some special qualifications for this. Your doctor will carefully examine you to see if you meet these qualifications.
| Consideration | Description |
|---|---|
| Age | Generally, you should be under 75 years old. |
| Severity of symptoms | Severe dyspnea and fatigue persist despite appropriate medication and pulmonary rehabilitation. |
| Lung condition | The lungs should be overinflated and air trapped. Also, air should not be moving through abnormal pathways within the lungs (there should be no collateral ventilation). |
| Smoking | You should not smoke currently, and you should abstain from smoking for at least 4 months. |
| Rehabilitation programs | Must be able to participate in scheduled pulmonary rehabilitation programs before and after treatment. |
What tests are done before treatment?
To determine if you are a good candidate for this treatment, your doctor will perform a complete physical examination and order several tests. Some of them are:
- Blood tests
- Chest X-ray
- High-resolution CT scan
- Pulmonary function tests
- Arterial blood gas test
- An Echocardiogram test that checks the functioning of the heart
- Six-minute walk test - This measures the function of your heart and lungs.
How do you prepare for treatment?
Your doctor will give you instructions on how to prepare for your treatment. It is very important to follow these instructions exactly to minimize complications.
- Avoid eating or drinking anything for 8 hours before treatment (fasting).
- You may need to stop taking some medications or change the timing. Talk to your doctor about this.
- Since you will be in the hospital for a few days after the treatment, arrange in advance for someone to take you home.
How the treatment is done and its advantages and disadvantages
This is not a major operation. No incisions are made. You are anesthetized (put to sleep). The doctor inserts the bronchoscope down your throat, inserts about 4 valves into the damaged lung, and then removes the bronchoscope. The entire procedure takes only 30 to 60 minutes.
| Advantages | Risks |
|---|---|
| No cuts on the body. | Possible reactions to anesthesia. |
| Shorter recovery time. | Pneumothorax . |
| Ability to remove or replace valves if necessary. | Infections such as pneumonia . |
| Fewer complications than traditional surgeries. | COPD flare-up. |
| The quality of life has improved significantly. | Serious complications such as bleeding, stroke , and myocardial infarction (often rare). |
What happens after treatment?
After the treatment, you will have to stay in the hospital for at least 3 days. The medical team will monitor you closely. After you go home, you will be asked to start a pulmonary rehabilitation program within 4-6 weeks. This will be a great help in managing your health.
When should I see the doctor?
If you have any questions or concerns before or after your treatment, don't delay in talking to your doctor. Also, if you experience any of the following symptoms, go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- Fever without a reason.
- Severe chest pain.
- Severe difficulty breathing.
- Blue discoloration of the skin, lips, or fingernails (Cyanosis) .
There is no cure for emphysema, but treatments like BLVR can help you breathe easier and live a little more comfortably. Talk to your doctor to decide if this is the right treatment for you.
Take-Home Message
- BLVR is a modern, non-invasive treatment for severe emphysema.
- Although this does not cure the disease, it significantly improves quality of life by making breathing easier.
- This treatment is not suitable for everyone and requires special qualifications.
- As with all medical treatments, there are some risks, but they are lower than traditional surgery.
- Discuss with your respiratory specialist whether this treatment is right for you and what its advantages and disadvantages are.
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