Patient FAQs

Emphysema is a debilitating lung disease that results from the destruction of the alveoli, or air sacs, in the lungs.  Some common symptoms of emphysema include shortness of breath, fatigue, coughing, wheezing, and frequent respiratory infections.

For more information on emphysema, please visit the following websites:

American Lung Association:  www.lungusa.org

American Thoracic Society Patient Education:
http://patients.thoracic.org

COPD Foundation:  www.copdfoundation.org

Emphysema Foundation for our Right to Survive: www.emphysema.net

Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease: www.goldcopd.com

MedLine Plus: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/emphysema.html

National Emphysema Foundation: www.emphysemafoundation.org

National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/index.htm

National Lung Health Education Program: www.nlhep.org

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What are the current treatment options for patients with emphysema?

Current treatment options for emphysema include:

• Medication: Patients with emphysema often use bronchodilators to open the airways and corticosteroids to reduce lung inflammation. In addition, antibiotics are often prescribed to treat or prevent the onset of infection which aggravates the disease.

• Breathing support: Some patients may use long-term supplemental oxygen to help with breathing.

• Surgery: Lung Volume Reduction Surgery (LVRS) can be performed to remove diseased lung tissue. Although LVRS is an effective treatment, based on the National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT), there are many serious risks and morbidities associated with open surgery.

• RePneu Lung Volume Reduction Coil (LVRC): The RePneu LVRC is designed to perform a less invasive lung volume reduction through a bronchoscope, thus reducing the risks and morbidities associated with LVRS. In addition to the RePneu LVRC, a few other medical devices are available for the treatment of emphysema in Europe but have not been approved for use in the United States.

• A complete patient treatment is two procedures, which is usually separated by at least one month.  On average 10 coils would be implanted each time, one lung per procedure.

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How do I know if the RePneu LVRC will help me?

The RePneu LVRC has undergone human clinical trials that have shown the device and procedure to be well-tolerated.  The RePneu LVRC has proven to be most effective on patients with heterogeneous emphysema.  Heterogeneous emphysema can be diagnosed with a chest CT scan.  The treatment is appropriate for patients whether or not they have collateral ventilation.

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What is the RePneu LVRC and how does it work?

The PneumRx RePneu Lung Volume Reduction Coil (LVRC) is an implantable device intended to improve lung function in patients with emphysema by achieving a lung volume reduction using minimally invasive means. 

The RePneu LVRC is made entirely of Nitinol, a highly biocompatible material that has been used extensively in implantable medical devices. 

The RePneu LVRC is pre-formed into a coil shape but is delivered to the lung in a straight configuration, through a bronchoscope.  When the coil is deployed into the lung, it recovers to its original coil shape, gathering and compressing diseased tissue and allowing the healthy tissue to function better.

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What is the RePneu LVRC procedure like?

The RePneu LVRC is delivered through a bronchoscope in a simple and short procedure, which is performed under conscious sedation or general anesthesia while using a proprietary Delivery System.  The procedure does not require any surgical incision.

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How long does the RePneu LVRC procedure take?

A typical RePneu LVRC procedure, in which 10 LVRC coils are implanted, takes between 20 and 40 minutes.

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How long does it take to recover from a RePneu LVRC procedure?

Patients are generally able to return home the next day.

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Where is a RePneu LVRC procedure done?

The RePneu LVRC procedure is performed in a hospital or other appropriate facility for minimally invasive procedures.

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What are the risks of the RePneu LVRC procedure?

The RePneu LVRC is still undergoing human clinical trials that have shown the RePneu LVRC device and procedure to be well tolerated.  No unanticipated adverse events have been experienced by any of the clinical trial patients.  All of the anticipated adverse events that occurred were successfully managed and resolved.  All known and anticipated risks will be discussed with patients who participate in the study.