Mercy Health first in region with new COPD treatment

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) impacts 16 million adults in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control, and it is a leading cause of death. The most common manifestation of the disease is emphysema.

Mercy Health is helping Valley residents battle the disease with the region’s first new treatment for patients with emphysema.

The health care system announced Thursday that it is now offering Zephyr Endobronchial Valves, which involves a minimally invasive procedure to place valves into the damaged areas of the lung.

Mercy officials say it’s a groundbreaking treatment because it is the first FDA-approved procedure that can help COPD patients have an improved quality of life without the risks associated with major surgery such as lung transplant.

“This minimally invasive procedure has the potential to be a life changer for patients who remain symptomatic despite taking their medications as directed,” said Dr. Niraj Niraula, Mercy Health pulmonologist.

Mercy says that despite taking medication that can help, over 1 million patients still suffer symptoms of air getting trapped in parts of their lungs damaged by disease. The trapped air causes the damaged areas of the lungs to get larger, which puts pressure on the healthy parts of the lungs and diaphragm. That leads to extreme shortness of breath.

All of that can make normal activities like walking, eating or even bathing difficult. Until now, the only other options were highly invasive treatments such as lung volume reduction surgery or lung transplantation, but treatment with the Zephyr Endobronchial Valves is minimally invasive, shortening recovery time and lessening the risk of infection, according to Mercy.

The procedure typically takes under an hour and requires no cutting or incisions.

For more information about Mercy Health’s pulmonology services and team, visit https://www.mercy.com/health-care-services/pulmonology

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