Does my lower-lobe dominant emphysema exclude me from being a candidate for Endobronchial Valves?
My Emphysema is lower lobe dominant. Does this exclude me from being a candidate for Endobronchial Valves? I was already told by my Pulmonary Dr that LVR Surgery is out of the question because of this.
Hi Lucca, and thanks for your post. This is an excellent question - trying to ascertain if you are a good candidate for the endobronchial valve system. This really is a question for you to pursue with a qualified physician. Do you think the pulmonologist you referred to in your post (above) would be able to help you with this? Leon (site moderator)
Yes thank you. He is going to consult with a pulmonary intervention surgeon. Still waiting.
Hi again, Lucca, and thanks for your response. Good luck with the upcoming appointment. And please, if you don't mind, keep us apprised of his progress. Warm regards, Leon (site moderator)
So.......nobody knows? There has got to be more experience than this on the site! I’m putting the question out there because it’s takes way to long to get a straight answer from my Dr.
Hi again, Lucca, and thanks for following up here. I'm sorry it's taking a lengthy time for your physician to provide you with a straight answer. This could be an issue in itself (the doctor not being straight with you). Even though people here on COPD.net may have their own experiences, so far, no one else has responded. Even more importantly, your particular situation and question is unique to your condition. It has nothing to do with others who may have been candidates, and even had the procedure.
Instead of waiting for your doctor to respond, you may want to reach out to the interventional pulmonary surgeon who is actually going to perform the procedure.
We do have some published material on this procedure, which I thought you might find helpful to read: https://copd.net/clinical/endobronchial-valve-system/.
Wishing you well,
Leon (site moderator)
