Update on Nonsurgical Lung Volume Reduction Procedures

Table 1

Overview of the currently available procedures for lung volume reduction (LVR) in advanced emphysema.

Technique	Dependence on collateral ventilation	Reversibility	Mechanisms of action	Principal complications
Valve implantation	Yes	Fully reversible	Prevention of inspired air from entering target airways whilst allowing exit of trapped air	Pneumothorax, hemoptysis
Coil implantation	No	Partially reversible (within 4 weeks)	Torquing of the bronchi (intrabronchial); Increased radial tension of adjacent airway network (endobronchial)	Hemoptysis, COPD exacerbations
Bronchoscopic thermal vapour ablation	No	Irreversible	Inflammatory reaction	Local and systemic inflammatory reaction
Airway stent	Yes	Partially reversible	Bypassing airway	Stent loss, stent obliteration