Long-term survival analysis of the Canadian Lung Volume Reduction Surgery trial

Abstract

Background: The Canadian Lung Volume Reduction Surgery (CLVRS) trial was a multicentered randomized controlled trial that concluded that lung volume reduction surgery improves functional status and health-related quality of life (for at least 2 years) in selected patients with advanced emphysema.

Methods: This retrospective observational study assessed the long-term survival of patients enrolled in the CLVRS at 8 to 10 years after randomization. Vital statistics were gathered through telephone contact, physician records, and municipal obituaries. Survival analysis was undertaken using Kaplan-Meier and the Cox proportional hazards models.

Results: Fifty-two patients (84% of the initial 62 patients randomized) had a median survival time of 4.11 years. A 16-month survival advantage and a 20% reduction in mortality was observed in the LVRS group as compared with the best medical care group. Although clinically meaningful, these differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusions: These findings echo those of other published reports and demonstrate the potential long-term benefit of LVRS in the treatment of end-stage emphysema.

Keywords: 11.