It's been five years since the FDA approved the first valves to treat severe emphysema. And since then, they've turned life around for patients.
It's been five years since the FDA approved the first valves to treat severe emphysema.Sherrie Nichols has had lung problems her entire life.Nonetheless, she was very active, juggling work, family, and a love of sports."I could hardly walk to the kitchen. I could hardly cook. I couldn't clean. I was so exhausted all the time," she says.Through a long, lighted tube, tiny valves are implanted in airways to block off diseased sections.
"It's anywhere from 1 to 6, depending on the load that you have, and your anatomy," says Dr. Gerard Criner, director of the Temple Lung Center.The valves allow air out of those overinflated parts, but don't let air back in, so healthier sections can work better."In clinical trials, about 60% of patients have a significant improvement in symptoms, quality of life, less short of breath, improvement in lung function," notes Dr. Criner.
A year later, she's back golfing, walking two miles a day, and will soon flies to Seattle to celebrate her 80th birthday.Nichols is especially happy to be free of oxygen.But he says if you're short of breath and not doing well on your current doctor's treatment, they're worth checking out.
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