Endoscopic lung volume reduction (ELVR) is being adopted as a treatment option for carefully selected patients suffering from severe emphysema. ELVR with the one-way endobronchial Zephyr valves (EBV) has been demonstrated to improve pulmonary function, exercise capacity, and quality of life in patients with both heterogeneous and homogenous emphysema without collateral ventilation. In this “expert best practices” review, we will highlight the practical aspects of this therapy. Key selection criteria for ELVR are hyperinflation with a residual volume >175% of predicted, forced expiratory volume 100 m. Patients with repeated infectious complications, severe bronchiectasis, and those with unstable cardiovascular comorbidities should be excluded from EBV treatment. The procedure may be performed with either conscious sedation or general anesthesia and positive pressure mechanical ventilation using a flexible endotracheal tube or a rigid bronchoscope. Chartis and EBV placement should be performed in 1 procedure when possible. The sequence of valve placement should be orchestrated to avoid obstruction and delivery of subsequent valves. If atelectasis has not occurred by 1 month after procedure, evaluate valve position on CT and consider replacing the valves that are not optimally positioned. Pneumothorax is a common complication and typically occurs in the first 2 days following treatment. A management algorithm for pneumothorax has been previously published. Long-term sequelae from EBV therapy do occur but are easily manageable.

Background The lung volume reduction (LVR) coil is a minimally invasive bronchoscopic nitinol device designed to reduce hyperinflation and improve elastic recoil in severe emphysema. We investigated the feasibility, safety and efficacy of LVR coil treatment in a prospective multicentre cohort trial in patients with severe emphysema. Methods Patients were treated in 11 centres. Safety was evaluated by recording all adverse events, efficacy by the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) as primary endpoint, and pulmonary function testing, modified Medical Research Council dyspnoea score (mMRC) and 6-min walk distance (6MWD) up to 12 months after the final treatment. Results Sixty patients (60.9 ± 7.5 years, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁) 30.2 ± 6.3% pred) were bronchoscopically treated with coils (55 bilateral, 5 unilateral), with a median of 10 (range 5–15) coils per lobe. Within 30 days post-treatment, seven chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations (6.1%), six pneumonias (5.2%), four pneumothoraces (3.5%) and one haemoptysis (0.9%) occurred as serious adverse events. At 6 and 12 months, respectively, ΔSGRQ was −12.1±12.9 and −11.1±13.3 points, Δ6MWD was +29.7±74.1 m and +51.4±76 m, ΔFEV₁ was +0.11±0.20 L and +0.11±0.30 L, and ΔRV (residual volume) was −0.65±0.90 L and −0.71±0.81 L (all p<0.01). Post hoc analyses showed significant responses for SGRQ, 6MWD and RV in patients with both heterogeneous and homogeneous emphysema. Conclusions LVR coil treatment results in significant clinical improvements in patients with severe emphysema, with a good safety profile and sustained results for up to 1 year. Trial registration number: NCT01328899.

Endoscopic lung volume reduction (ELVR) therapies are gaining prominence as a treatment option with guideline recommendations by COPD GOLD and NICE and the recent FDA approval for endobronchial valves. The transition from an experiment-based therapy only to clinical care comes with new challenges. A significant volume of evidence-based data has been published; all data demonstrate consistent improvements in several aspects of patient outcomes. Patients suffering from severe air trapping and thoracic hyperinflation seem to benefit the most from ELVR. In addition to lung function, baseline assessment should ideally include cardiopulmonary exercise testing, high-resolution computer tomography scan, perfusion scintigraphy, and echocardiography. This expert ELVR statement updates best practice recommendations from 2017 regarding patient selection and utilization of these various techniques for treating patients with advanced emphysema.

Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction with one-way endobronchial valves is a guideline treatment option for patients with advanced emphysema that is supported by extensive scientific data. Patients limited by severe hyperinflation, with a suitable emphysema treatment target lobe and with absence of collateral ventilation, are the responders to this treatment. Detailed patient selection, a professional treatment performance, and dedicated follow up of the valve treatment, including management of complications, are key ingredients to success. This treatment does not stand alone; it especially requires extensive knowledge of COPD for which the most appropriate treatment is discussed in a multidisciplinary approach. We discuss the endobronchial valve treatment for emphysema and provide a guideline for patient selection, treatment guidance, and practice tools, based on our own experience and literature.

Background: Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction using one-way endobronchial valves (EBVs) has been proven to be effective in patients with severe emphysema. However, the selection of patients without collateral ventilation prior to treatment is critical for procedural success. Collateral ventilation can be assessed directly with the Chartis system or indirectly using computed tomography (CT) fissure analysis. Objectives: We retrospectively evaluated the diagnostic value of a combination of the quantitative CT interlobar fissure completeness score (FCS) and Chartis in predicting responders to EBV therapy. Methods: CT data from four prospective studies were pooled and analyzed using semiautomated software to quantify the completeness of interlobar fissures. These FCSs were compared to a reference standard of achieving ≥350 ml of target lobe volume reduction after EBV treatment. Using a receiver operating characteristic curve, optimal thresholds predictive of complete fissures (responders) and incomplete fissures (non-responders) were determined. A subgroup of patients with partially complete fissures was identified, where software had lower accuracy. The complementary value of Chartis was investigated in this group. Results: A fissure was defined as complete (FCS >95%), incomplete (FCS <80%), or partially complete (80% < FCS < 95%). The positive predictive value (PPV) of complete fissures is 88.1%, and the negative predictive value (NPV) is 92.9%, with an overall accuracy of 89.2%. Chartis was utilized in patients with partially complete fissures, with a PPV of 82.3%, an NPV of 84.6%, and an accuracy of 83.3%. Conclusion: Combining diagnostic tools could reduce the burden on patients and the healthcare system while providing clinicians with a better means for patient selection for EBV therapy.