Changes in dynamic lung mechanics after lung volume reduction coil treatment of severe emphysema

Abstract

We assessed the relationships between changes in lung compliance, lung volumes and dynamic hyperinflation in patients with emphysema who underwent bronchoscopic treatment with nitinol coils (coil treatment) (n=11) or received usual care (UC) (n=11). Compared with UC, coil treatment resulted in decreased dynamic lung compliance (C_Ldyn) (p=0.03) and increased endurance time (p=0.010). The change in C_Ldyn was associated with significant improvement in FEV₁ and FVC, with reduction in residual volume and intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure, and with increased inspiratory capacity at rest/and at exercise. The increase in end-expiratory lung volume (EELV) during exercise (EELV_dyn-ch=EELV_isotime EELV_rest) demonstrated significant attenuation after coil treatment (p=0.02).

Keywords: emphysema; exercise capacity; lung volume reduction.