Lung emphysema treated successfully using volume reduction with lung sealant (AeriSeal®)

Abstract

Abstract Emphysema is a progressive and irreversible disease for which there is no cure to date. Endoscopic lung volume reduction with valve implantation or using lung sealant is a treatment option for patients with severe emphysema. A 60-year-old ex-smoker (80 pack years) referred to our center because of severe lung emphysema with progressive worsening of the obstructive ventilator pattern and clinical condition. By our patient we detected collateral channels by using the Chartis system®, which allow airflow into the target lobe and prevent atelectasis and significant lung volume reduction. Thus, we decided to treat the advanced emphysema of our patient with endoscopic volume reduction using lung sealant (AeriSeal®). The foam of lung sealant AeriSeal® is instilled into the peripheral airways and alveoli where it polymerizes and functions as tissue glue, forming a film of material on the lung surface that seals the target region to cause durable absorption atelectasis. Over a period of 16 weeks, the air within the sealed region was absorbed. The follow- up evaluation of this patient showed improved lung function (increased FEV 1, and a reduction of TLC and RV) with improved quality of life. Correlation between changes in primary and secondary outcome measures in the lung function parameters and 6- minute-walking test before and after the application of AeriSealant revealed significant reduction of hyperinflation and improvement both in the flow rates and physical capacity of our patient.