Cleveland Clinic first to offer lung valve treatment for COPD patients in South Florida
FDA-approved device improves breathing without major surgery
Cleveland Clinic Weston recently announced that it is now offering a new procedure designed to help patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or advanced emphysema breathe easier. The procedure, which involves placing endobronchial valves in patients’ lungs, was recently FDA-approved. Cleveland Clinic Weston is the first hospital in South Florida to offer this new treatment option for patients with advanced respiratory conditions.
The treatment is performed during a bronchoscopy, a procedure that allows a doctor to examine the inside of the lungs, including the bronchi, which are the main airways into the lungs. Depending on the severity of the case, an average of one to four tiny valves are placed in the airways to block off the diseased parts of the lungs. The valves reduce hyperinflation by preventing air from being trapped in the diseased area of the lung and allowing healthier parts of the lung to take in more air, lifting pressure off the diaphragm.
“Offering this advanced lung treatment will significantly improve the overall quality of life for our patients,” said Rodolfo Blandon, M.D., President of Cleveland Clinic Weston. “As we strive to provide our patients with the latest innovation and services, we are excited to be the first hospital providing this new treatment at Cleveland Clinic Weston’s Pulmonary Medicine Department.”
This announcement is particularly timely as November is designated Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a group of diseases that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is a significant risk factor for lung cancer. Both COPD and lung cancer are major worldwide health concerns owing to cigarette smoking, and represent a huge, worldwide, preventable disease burden.
Patients suffering from COPD may experience coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and ongoing fatigue. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis affect approximately 23 million people in the United States, with emphysema most commonly found in men between the ages of 50 and 70.
About Cleveland Clinic Weston
Cleveland Clinic Weston, part of Cleveland Clinic’s Florida region, is a nonprofit, multi-specialty, academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. For patients travelling from the Cayman Islands, the facility is just a short drive from both Fort Lauderdale and Miami International Airports. With locations in Weston, Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs, Parkland, West Palm Beach, Wellington, and Palm Beach Gardens, Cleveland Clinic Weston has more than 250 physicians with expertise in 55 specialties. The medical campus is fully integrated and includes diagnostic centers, outpatient surgery and a 24-hour emergency department located in the state-of-the-art hospital. Cleveland Clinic’s Florida region now includes Cleveland Clinic Indian River and Cleveland Clinic Martin Health and has hospitals and outpatient centers in Broward, Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie Counties. The Florida region is an integral part of Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, where providing outstanding patient care is based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Physicians at Cleveland Clinic are experts in the treatment of complex conditions that are difficult to diagnose. For more information about Cleveland Clinic Florida, visit www.clevelandclinicflorida.org. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
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