A hospital employee has become the latest emphysema sufferer to undergo a new procedure that is offering a lifeline to people with serious respiratory conditions.
Former King's Mill Hospital worker, Annette Eiben from Mansfield, is the latest person to receive endobronchial lung volume reduction (ELVR) treatment using the Pulmonx Zephyr Endobronchial Valve.
The procedure was carried out by Dr Samuel Kemp, a consultant physician at the Mansfield hospital, and Eiben has described the difference to her quality of life as ‘nothing short of amazing’.
The 58 year old has been living with emphysema for several years and prior to having her procedure the simplest of tasks such as drying herself after a bath or reaching for a plug would leave her breathless, not to mention the daily struggle of walking up and down stairs.
Since the operation I have not had one attack and the feelings of independence and confidence I now have really are life changing
She told BBH: "When Dr Kemp suggested the valves I said ‘yes’ immediately. After all, I had nothing to lose and everything to gain.”
Dr Kemp said Eiben was already receiving the maximum level of therapy possible combined with ongoing rehabilitation and was on the waiting list for a transplant.
He added: “Transplant is the definitive treatment for COPD, but it is not appropriate for everyone and also carries a high level of risk. Annette was very keen to try something less invasive so, with this in mind, I felt she would benefit greatly from the EBV valves.”
The endoscopic procedure typically takes less than an hour to complete and because it is non-invasive patients do not require a long recovery period, though an overnight stay in hospital is sometimes required.
Once the Zephyr Endobronchial Valves are in place they prevent air from entering the most damaged areas of lung when breathing in, while allowing air out when a person exhales. This causes airflow to be directed towards the better functioning lung, together with deflation of the most damaged parts, leading to a reduction in the volume of trapped gas and improving breathing mechanics.
Since Eiben had the procedure, her lung function and ability to breathe have improved, leading to a better quality of life and increased independence and confidence so she can enjoy leisure activities and is able to carry out daily routines without the fear of needing oxygen.
I would certainly recommend considering endobronchial valves treatment to other physicians looking for an effective means of treating COPD patients
Dr Kemp is leading research in this area and told BBH : “EBVs are a truly exciting new technology that enables us to make a real difference to the lives of patients with emphysema by reducing breathlessness and improving quality of life.
“EBVs allow us to change the structure of the lung and lung function tests have shown that in Annette’s case a massive improvement in respiratory function has been achieved. Immediately after the operation she could feel a marked improvement in her breathing and this positive result has continued in the intervening weeks to the point where her most recent tests have shown a loss of 1.3 litres of trapped gas.
“These latest figures prove beyond doubt just how successful the operation has been as this huge reduction allows healthy lungs to inflate properly. I would certainly recommend considering endobronchial valves treatment to other physicians looking for an effective means of treating COPD patients."
Eiben added: “The feeling of being unable to take a breath can be extremely scary and I was having more and more panic attacks, both when at home and out and about. Even the smallest hill or flight of stairs would cause me distress. However, since the operation I have not had one attack and the feelings of independence and confidence I now have really are life changing.”
Since it was introduced, Pulmonx has been used on more than 4,000 COPD patients around the world.