Zephyr® Endobronchial Valve System

Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (CBMC) is the first in New Jersey to offer the Zephyr® Endobronchial Valve System, a minimally invasive treatment option for patients with severe Emphysema. Emphysema, an advanced form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is a progressive, debilitating disease that restricts lung function and limits quality of life.

“Severe emphysema is traditionally treated with oxygen therapy, corticosteroids, pulmonary rehabilitation or lung transplantation,” says Killol Patel, MD, Director of Interventional Pulmonology, CBMC and a member of the RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group. “Patients who do not experience improvement with these traditional treatments may be eligible for an exciting new minimally invasive approach to increase lung function and make breathing easier.”

The Zephyr valve is an implantable device that is placed in the airways using a bronchoscope (a thin tube with a camera) to block off the diseased part of the lungs. This allows the healthy portions of the lungs to expand, lifting pressure off the diaphragm and making it easier for the patient to breathe.

Candidates for this procedure include patients whose quality of life is limited by reduced lung function due to shortness of breath from severe emphysema or COPD, feel breathless even when taking medication as directed and are non-smoking or willing to quit smoking.

Patients should speak to their doctor to find out if this treatment option is right for them, or make an appointment with a pulmonologist at CBMC by calling 973-302-3137.