Hi. Great question! Zephyr valves are typically an option for people with severe COPD, particularly severe emphysema, that hasn’t responded well to treatments like inhalers or other therapies. If you continue to feel short of breath despite using the best available treatments, you might qualify for this procedure.
Your doctor will need to evaluate your condition and may order tests such as pulmonary function tests, a CT scan, and a 6-minute walk test to determine if you’re a good candidate. If you'd like more details, I’ve written an article on this topic that you might find helpful. The comments section may also provide additional insights from others who’ve considered or undergone the procedure. Here is the article I was referring to: https://copd.net/living/zephyr-valves
Does this help? John. community moderator.