Interventional Bronchoscopic Therapies for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who fail maximal medical therapy have bronchoscopic options that can improve lung function, quality of life, and exercise performance. Those with upper lobe predominant emphysema can consider bronchoscopic lung volume reduction with endobronchial valves. Select patients with diffuse emphysema and severe hyperinflation can also be considered for endobronchial valves. Bronchoscopic techniques targeting cholinergic pathways and mucus hypersecretion are under development. Ultimately, patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who are not eligible for or have failed bronchoscopic interventions can consider lung volume reduction surgery or even lung transplantation, if free from major comorbidities.