Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction (BLVR)

A surgeon will place a bronchoscope down your throat and into your airways. This doesn’t require any incisions (cuts). Your provider will use the bronchoscope to place valves in overinflated areas of your lungs.

Your provider will carefully select where in your lungs (which lobe) to place the valves to prevent complications like a collapsed lung. This usually means placing valves in just one lung, in the area that’s most damaged.

The valves allow air to escape when you breathe out, but they don’t let air into the same area when you breathe in. Over time, this reduces the amount of air trapped in your lungs.

You’ll need a full physical exam and several tests to determine if you’re a good candidate for BLVR. These could include:

• Blood tests.
• Chest X-ray.
• High-resolution CT scan.
• Pulmonary function tests.
• Arterial blood gas test.
• Echocardiogram.
• Right heart catheterization.
• Six-minute walk test. This tests your heart and lung function by seeing how far you can walk in six minutes.

Your provider will give you instructions on how to prepare for valve placement. Following their directions closely can reduce your risk of complications. Before BLVR, your provider may ask you to:

• Not eat anything for eight hours before the procedure (fast).
• Not take certain medications or alter your medication schedule.
• Ask someone to drive you home after a few days in the hospital.

Make sure you tell your provider about all the medications you take, including over-the-counter ones and herbal supplements.

During BLVR, a provider will:

1. Give you anesthesia through a vein (IV) that will keep you asleep for the surgery.
2. Insert a bronchoscope into your throat and down into your airways.
3. Place endobronchial valves into your lung. They usually place around four valves.
4. Remove the bronchoscope.

Endobronchial valve placement takes 30 minutes to an hour.