Assessment of hyperinflation: comparison of Global Lung Function Initiative and European Community for Steel and Coal lung volume reference equations.

Background: Assessment of static hyperinflation severity is crucial to identify COPD patients eligible for lung volume reduction. The current recommendation of residual volume ≥175% predicted may need to be reconsidered owing to potential differences between the Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) and the European Community for Steel and Coal (ECSC) reference equations for residual volume and concerns about using percentage of predicted.

Methods: We compared the residual volume reference values derived from the GLI and ECSC equations using mathematically simulated data and used a receiver operating characteristic curve to establish a new GLI-derived z-score cut-off for residual volume using body plethysmography data from patients with severe COPD.

Survival in COPD patients treated with bronchoscopic lung volume reduction.

Background And Objective: Severe COPD patients can significantly benefit from bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) treatments with coils or endobronchial valves. However, the potential impact of BLVR on survival is less understood. Therefore, our aim was to investigate the survival rate in patients who are evaluated for BLVR treatment and whether there is a difference in survival rate between patients who undergo BLVR treatment and patients who do not.

Identifying Responders and Exploring Mechanisms of Action of the Endobronchial Coil Treatment for Emphysema.

Background: So far, 3 randomized controlled trials have shown that the endobronchial treatment using coils is safe and effective. However, the more exact underlying mechanism of the treatment and best predictors of response are unknown.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to gain more knowledge about the underlying physiological mechanism of the lung volume reduction coil treatment and to identify potential predictors of response to this treatment.

Comparison of Multiple Diagnostic Tests to Measure Dynamic Hyperinflation in Patients with Severe Emphysema Treated with Endobronchial Coils.

Purpose: For this study, we aimed to compare dynamic hyperinflation measured by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), a six-minute walking test (6-MWT), and a manually paced tachypnea test (MPT) in patients with severe emphysema who were treated with endobronchial coils. Additionally, we investigated whether dynamic hyperinflation changed after treatment with endobronchial coils.

Methods: Dynamic hyperinflation was measured with CPET, 6-MWT, and an MPT in 29 patients before and after coil treatment.

Patient Selection for Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction.

Purpose: Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) is a valuable treatment option for carefully selected patients with severe COPD. There is limited knowledge about the characteristics and outcomes of patients referred to a specialized center for BLVR. The study objectives were to investigate the selection rate for BLVR treatment in patients referred for this treatment and to investigate the differences between patients that were selected for BLVR and patients that were not.

Significant Differences in Body Plethysmography Measurements Between Hospitals in Patients Referred for Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction.

During the evaluation of potential bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) candidates in our hospital, we frequently observe patients with a lower residual volume (RV) value compared to the value measured in their referring hospital, although both measured by body plethysmography. We explored to what degree RV and other pulmonary function measurements match between referring hospitals and our hospital. We retrospectively analyzed a total of 300 patients with severe emphysema [38% male, median age 62 years (range 38-81), median forced expiratory volume in 1 s 29% (range 14-65) of predicted, and a median of 40 packyears (range 2-125)].