First Patient in United States Gets New Emphysema Treatment

First Patient in United States Gets New Emphysema Treatment

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A new treatment for emphysema is undergoing testing in the United States, after already getting approved in Europe and Israel. It is a foam that is sprayed into the lungs and is used to decrease inflammation in the lungs in people with severe emphysema. A man by the name of Perry Waldrop of Alabama jumped at the chance of being the first person in the US to undergo this new procedure.

Emphysema is a chronic lung condition that falls under the term of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and is characterized by the damaged alveoli, which are the tiny sacs in the lungs that transfer oxygen and carbon dioxide from the lungs to the bloodstream and vice versa. The alveoli in a person with emphysema are so damaged, that they are unable to exhale the carbon dioxide and inhale oxygen, resulting in lungs that have become too expanded. This condition is caused by smoking, and about 4.9 million Americans are known to have this disease.

These larger than normal lungs will then put excessive pressure on the diaphragm, preventing it from rising and falling as it should, and making it even more difficult to breathe. This enlargement of the lungs due to emphysema can also cause the lungs to collapse if the enlargement is located around the tops of the lungs.

Someone with severe emphysema, like Mr. Waldrop, will very low amounts of energy because of the lack of oxygen in their bloodstream. This condition is extremely dangerous for other parts of the body as well, especially the brain, which needs about 20% of the oxygen we breathe, and the heart, which will try to overcompensate for the lack of oxygen in the bloodstream and work itself to the point of heart failure. People who have severe COPD often use large amounts of oxygen therapy to make up for the way their lungs cannot inhale enough oxygen.

The substance used for this procedure is called “Aeri Seal,” and it’s a polymer that is applied to the lungs. To components to the polymer mix on contact and harden to form a rubbery foam. This foam seals off the air sacs in the damaged area of the lung, which causes the lung to shrink back down to normal over time, and the foam shrinks and breaks down over time as well. When the lung has decrease back to its normal size, the diaphragm can work as its supposed to.

It’s still too soon to see exactly how safe and effective this procedure is, it is predicted to be more reliable than surgery to remove damaged areas of the lungs. Lung surgery on patients with emphysema has been known to be high risk and have complications down the line.

The patient undergoing the procedure is put under light anesthesia, and it only takes about 45 minutes to perform. During the months after the procedure, the patient still uses oxygen therapy until a doctor can determine whether or not he still needs it.

The procedure took place in October of 2012, and as of February of 2013, Waldrop is on his way to recovery, already seeing a difference in how well he can breathe.

Information on this page is for reference and educational purposes only. For more information talk to your doctor or primary care provider.

Page last updated: October 24, 2018

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Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more.

Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

About Scott Ridl:

Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more. Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

9 thoughts on “First Patient in United States Gets New Emphysema Treatment

  1. “This condition is caused by smoking and about 4.9 million Americans are known to have this disease.” Those who have never smoked in their lives can develop emphysema, caused by a genetic disorder called Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. Alpha 1 (a disorder more common than Cystic Fibrosis) is often misdiagnosed. It is estimated that about 1 in every 2,500 Americans have Alpha 1. There are approximately 90,000 people living in the United States with
    undiagnosed Alpha 1 deficiency. On average, a diagnosis of Alpha 1 deficiency
    takes up to 7 years and 3 doctors for discovery.

    • This is true. I have alpha 1 antitrypsin and have developed severe emphysema. It gets real tiring EXPLAINING and DEFENDING my condition. The American Lung Assocation doesn’t want to acknowledge us as ‘different’. Personally, I don’t want to be ‘clumped’ together with smokers. It’s NOT the same. People with a1ad develope emphysema much younger and way faster than smokers. Our bodies immune response for our lungs doesn’t shut therefore attacks our lung tissue — damaged lung tissue = emphysema. off In many cases, our progression can either be slowed or stopped with IV infusions.
      Another thing… many of these ‘procedures’ can not be performed on us. One reason I was told was because of were the majority of our damage is — lower lobes. Damage from smoking mainly starts at top of the lungs and works its way down – the opposite for people with a1ad.
      Personally, I think I would be a good canidate for these experimental procedures. 1. I’m younger. 2. I’m as strong as a frigging horse. 3. I may not be able to breathe – but I can outwork most people I know.

  2. I’m sorry you have this, and it must be frustrating to be lumped in with smokers, but remember that smoking is an addiction and many people struggle to give up. You sound like a good candidate, but a bit more compassion for others just might make you an even more worthy candidate.

  3. My husband has severe copd and emphysema and would like to be a candidate. He has congested heart failure and he has gained so much weight in his belly that hurts his breathing, because of the steroids he has to take. He also is a diabetic too. Please consider him , I’m desperate to get him some help. There are so many like him and I pray to GOD for help to help these people it is so heart breaking and scary to watch my husband suffer. Thank You

  4. My wife has COPD and has lung cancer. During the cancer treatments her breathing has become much worse. would she be a candidate for this treatment while going through cancer treatments. Thank you

    • Ron, If this is something that you are interested in I strongly suggest that you speak with your doctor. This is not something that we can answer as we are not a doctors office.

    • If this is something that you are interested in I would start having discussions with your doctor to explore this option and any other ones you might be interested in.

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