A Trial on the Effects of Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction in Severe Emphysema.

Rationale: The published clinical trials investigating the bronchoscopic lung volume reduction, showing important patient-related improvements in efficacy, led to the acknowledgement of the treatment in the GOLD-COPD2017 guidelines. Interaction with pulmonary rehabilitation, impact on patient-reported outcomes, physical activity, and extrapulmonary consequences are all topics to gain more insight in. This importantly, to further develop and optimize this innovative and personalized therapy.

Objective: To study in detail the impact and optimal timing of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) on exercise physiology and patient-reported outcomes and the impact of the bronchoscopic lung volume reduction treatment using endobronchial valves (EBV) on cardiopulmonary function, metabolism and changes in body composition.

Study design: This study is a randomized controlled trial with 3 study-arms. Group 1 will first follow a PR program and afterwards undergo the EBV treatment. Group 2 will first undergo the EBV treatment and approximately 8 weeks later will follow a PR program. Group 3 will only undergo the EBV treatment (and can choose to follow a PR program after completing the 6 month FU visit).

Study population: The study population exist of patients with severe emphysema who undergo a bronchoscopic lung volume reduction treatment using one-way valves.

Intervention: Most patients will undergo a bronchoscopic lung volume reduction treatment using endobronchial valves and a pulmonary rehabilitation program. One group of patient will under a bronchoscopic lung volume reduction treatment using endobronchial valves and can choose whether they also want to follow a pulmonary rehabilitation program afterwards.

Main study parameters: The main study parameter is the difference in change in endurance time measured by an endurance cycle test between the EBV treatment group and the bronchoscopic lung volume reduction + rehabilitation group (EBV+PR).

Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness: This study has no major risks for the participating patients. The patients will be exposed to additional exercise capacity and physical activity measurements, 3 additional questionnaires, a CT scan of the quadriceps muscle, a DEXA scan and peripheral blood collection. Furthermore, a subgroup of patients will be exposed to a cardiac MRI or muscle and fat biopsies. Patient can directly benefit from the EBV treatment and the pulmonary rehabilitation program. Indirect benefit might be achieved, because, at a group level the investigators will learn more about this novel treatment for our severe emphysema patients and will be able to further optimize this treatment.

Inclusion criteria

• COPD.
• FEV1 ≤45%pred AND FEV1/FVC <70%.
• TLC >100%pred AND RV>175%pred.
• CAT ≥18.
• >50% emphysema destruction @-910HU.
• >95% complete major fissure measured by quantitative CT analysis.
• Non-smoking >6 months.
• Signed informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• PaCO2>8.0 kPa, or PaO2<6.0kPa.
• 6-minute walk test <160m.
• Significant chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, or other infectious lung disease.
• 3 of more hospitalizations due to pulmonary infection within last 12 months before baseline assessments
• Previous lobectomy, LVRS, or lung transplantation.
• LVEF<45% and or RVSP>50mmHg.
• Anticoagulant therapy which cannot be weaned off prior to procedure.
• Patient is significantly immunodeficient.
• Involved in other pulmonary drug studies within 30 days prior to this study.
• Pulmonary nodule which requires intervention
• Any disease or condition that interferes with completion of initial or follow-up assessments