Mouth taping is a practice that promotes nasal breathing during sleep, which may improve sleep...
Read MoreMore than three million people in the United States live with emphysema, a progressive lung disease that falls under the broader umbrella of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). While medications and pulmonary rehabilitation can help manage COPD and early-stage emphysema, patients whose disease advances to stage three or four often find themselves with few options short of major surgery.
What Is emphysema?
Emphysema is characterized by damage to the tiny air sacs, called alveoli, in the lungs. “Normally, these sacs expand and contract with each breath, allowing oxygen to pass into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide to be expelled,” said Bryan Ferroni, D.O., a pulmonologist and sleep medicine specialist with Inspira Medical Group Pulmonary. “In emphysema, the alveoli walls weaken and rupture, creating larger but fewer sacs.” This rupturing reduces the surface area available for gas exchange and causes air to become trapped in the lungs.
Emphysema symptoms to watch for
Early emphysema may be nearly symptom-free, but as the disease progresses, you may notice the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity
- Chronic cough, sometimes with mucus
- Wheezing or tightness in the chest
- Fatigue or difficulty completing routine tasks
- Unintended weight loss due to the extra energy required to breathe
Because these symptoms can develop gradually, many patients delay seeking medical attention until their breathing difficulties become severe. Talk to your doctor if you experience any of these signs. Early intervention can make a major difference in managing emphysema.
Understanding the emphysema stages
Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) is how much air you can forcefully exhale in the first second of a breath. It’s a key measure of lung function and helps doctors determine how much airflow limitation you have.
COPD, which includes emphysema, is classified into four stages based on the severity of airflow limitation measured by spirometry:
- Stage 1 (mild): FEV₁ ≥ 80 percent of the predicted value. Symptoms may be minimal, and patients may not realize they have a disease.
- Stage 2 (moderate): FEV₁ 50–79 percent of the predicted value. During this stage, shortness of breath typically emerges, especially on exertion.
- Stage 3 (severe): FEV₁ 30–49 percent of the predicted value. Patients often experience worsening shortness of breath, reduced exercise capacity and flare‑ups.
- Stage 4 (very severe or end‑stage): FEV₁ < 30 percent of the predicted value (or < 50 percent with chronic respiratory failure). Quality of life is significantly impaired, and the risk of life‑threatening exacerbations is high.
“While early stages respond well to bronchodilators, inhaled steroids and lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, stages three and four present a treatment gap,” said Dr. Ferroni. “These patients may not be healthy enough for lung volume reduction surgery and no longer benefit sufficiently from medications alone.”
The Spiration Valve System
The Spiration Valve System is a minimally invasive procedure that improves breathing and lung health, specifically in end-stage emphysema patients. It involves a series of expandable valves that reroute airflow from damaged air sacs to healthier regions.
As a result, the diseased lobes collapse slightly, reducing hyperinflation and allowing healthier lung tissue to expand and work more efficiently. This procedure allows the diaphragm to function more efficiently by reducing hyperinflation and simultaneously redirecting airflow, increasing the patient’s air lung capacity.
“Most patients begin to notice easier breathing and improved exercise tolerance within a few weeks to a few months after valve placement,” said Dr. Ferroni. “The procedure takes less than an hour, and patients typically stay in the hospital for one or two nights.”
One of the biggest advantages of the Spiration Valve System is its reversibility. If a patient does not achieve the desired benefit or experiences complications, the valves can be removed through another minimally invasive procedure.
Who’s an ideal candidate for the Spiration Valve System?
Ideal candidates are those with Stage 3 or Stage 4 emphysema who:
- Complete a pulmonary function test (PFT) showing significant airflow limitation
- Undergo a high‑resolution CT scan to map areas where diseased regions are distinct from healthier tissue
- Experience ongoing, disabling breathlessness despite treatment
- Are not able to undergo more invasive surgery
Transforming lives
The Spiration Valve System offers new hope for patients once resigned to a life of limited mobility and frequent hospitalizations. Clinical studies demonstrate improvements in lung function, exercise capacity and quality‑of‑life scores. By offering a minimally invasive solution for advanced emphysema, the Spiration Valve System is redefining the standard of care and empowering patients to reclaim their independence and quality of life.
Learn more about pulmonology and respiratory services at Inspira.
