Chest
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Complete unilateral vs partial bilateral endoscopic lung volume reduction in patients with bilateral lung emphysema.
Intrabronchial valve placement for endoscopic lung volume reduction is used for patients with severe lung emphysema. Different treatment approaches are unilateral valve placement with the goal of complete occlusion and subsequent atelectasis leading to true volume reduction vs bilateral partial closure aiming for redistribution of ventilation but avoiding atelectasis. In this prospective pilot trial, we compared the efficacy of these treatment approaches. ⋯ Unilateral intrabronchial valve placement with complete occlusion appears superior to bilateral partial occlusion.