Alternatives to lung transplantation: lung volume reduction for COPD

Emphysema is disabling and progressive and hallmarked by decreased exercise tolerance and impaired quality of life. Surgical interventions that reduce lung volume have been the focus of multiple interventions for decades; however, until recently, limited evidence has documented their effectiveness. Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) underwent rigorous study in the National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT), which demonstrated its short-term and long-term effectiveness, associated morbidity and mortality, and the essential factors that predict LVRS success or failure. This article summarizes the major results of the NETT and briefly reviews newer bronchoscopic lung volume reduction techniques that show promise as alternative treatments for select patients with COPD undergoing consideration for lung transplantation.