Zephyr Valve Pros and Cons

COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a type of emphysema. Air becomes trapped in the lungs due to damage to lung tissue in advanced emphysema. This causes the diseased regions of the lung to grow in size, putting pressure on the functioning parts of your lungs and diaphragm. As a result, it may be difficult for you to breathe effectively and take long, deep breaths. This continual shortness of breath can make it harder to carry out daily tasks and enjoy many elements of your life, such as exercising, showering, wearing clothes, cleaning, cooking meals, and going out with relatives or friends - all without pausing for air, resting, or requesting assistance.

Your doctor may recommend a new technique to treat severe emphysema. The procedure is referred to as the Zephyr® Valve therapy. The Zephyr Valve therapy is a technique in which a doctor inserts one or more microscopic valves into your airways, releasing trapped pockets of air and improving your ability to breathe. It is neither a drug nor a surgical procedure.

Zephyr Valves are microscopic valves that are implanted in the airways to occlude or block a diseased region of the lungs, hence reducing hyperinflation. This allows the healthier regions of the lungs to expand and relieves pressure on the diaphragm, resulting in less shortness of breath and better breathing.

Zephyr Valve Pros

The Zephyr Valve treatment has various advantages. It is designed to deflate a particular portion of the lung with restricted airflow, thereby improving the rest of the lung's function. Additionally, this process is intended to aid in the enhancement of your ability to exercise, which may result in a considerable increase in your overall quality of life.

According to one-year results from the IMPACT clinical research, the Zephyr Endobronchial Valve improves lung function, exercise capacity, and quality of life in persons with homogenous emphysema, a severe form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

When compared to people who only took drugs, patients who received the Zephyr Valve observed the following benefits.

• Could accomplish more everyday life tasks, such as walking, cooking, and getting ready in the morning, with less shortness of breath as a result of increased exercise capacity.
• Improved pulmonary function as indicated by FEV1
• A higher standard of living

zephyr Valve Cons

These hazards are similar to those associated with any surgical operation. One concern of Zephyr Valve surgery is that it can lead to a transient aggravation of emphysema symptoms following the procedure. Following the surgery, some patients may develop pneumonia, increased mucus production, or wheezing. Most importantly, individuals who receive Zephyr Valve surgery are more likely to have an air leak in their lungs, which can cause it to collapse within three days of the procedure.

In the first 45 days after receiving Zephyr Valves, patients were more likely to experience the following side effects

• Infection
• Air leakage (Pneumothorax)
• Coughing up blood
• Chest Pain
• Death