EMPROVE is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled study designed to evaluate the safety and long-term effectiveness of the Spiration Valve System in patients with emphysema.

Patients appropriate for the EMPROVE study are those who are currently on medical treatment but still symptomatic.

EMPROVE also accepts α-1 antitrypsin deficiency patients.

The Spiration Valve is a small, one-way valve that is used to block air from entering diseased portions of the lung. This helps to reduce the volume in diseased lung due to hyperinflation. Volume reduction of diseased lung has been shown to improve lung function and other quality of life measures for people living with emphysema.

The Spiration Valve is placed in the diseased section of the lungs using a tool called a bronchoscope. A bronchoscope is a small tube that has a camera on the end. The bronchoscope enters the lungs through the mouth. The Spiration Valve is delivered and placed in the targeted airways via another thin tube called a catheter that travels through the bronchoscope.

• Once in place, the Spiration Valve expands and contracts with breathing, creating a complete seal around the airway
• The seal blocks air from entering the target lobe while at the same time allowing trapped air and fluids to escape.
• This causes the diseased (hyper-inflated) lung to reduce in volume or collapse
• Studies have shown volume reduction may allow healthier lung to function better
• More information and a description of the Spiration Valve System can be found on the EMPROVE clinical trial website, www.EmphysemaTrial.com

Safety and outcomes of the Spiration Valve System in emphysema have been published in several peer-reviewed journals. The articles listed below represent a summary of existing literature regarding the use of the Spiration Valve System for the treatment of emphysema. The selected articles are being provided to help understand the body of data describing the use of the Spiration Valve System.

1. Unilateral Versus Bilateral Endoscopic Lung Volume Reduction: A Comparative Case Study, NCT00995852

   Eberhardt R, Gompelmann D, Schuhmann M, Heussel CP, Herth FJ. Complete unilateral vs partial bilateral endoscopic lung volume reduction in patients with bilateral lung emphysema. Chest. 2012 Oct;142(4):900-908

2. Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Effectiveness of the IBV® Valve System for the Treatment of Severe Emphysema (IBV®Valve), NCT00475007

   Wood DE, Nader DA, Springmeyer SC, Elstad MR, Coxson HO, Chan A, Rai NS, Mularski RA, Cooper CB, Wise RA, Jones PW, Mehta AC, Gonzalez X, Sterman DH; IBV Valve Trial Research Team. The IBV Valve trial: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial of endobronchial therapy for severe emphysema. J Bronchology Interv Pulmonol. 2014 Oct;21(4):288-297

3. European Multi-Center Post Market Study of the IBV Valve System, NCT00880724

Ninane V, Geltner C, Bezzi M, Foccoli P, Gottlieb J, Welte T, Seijo L, Zulueta JJ, Munavvar M, Rosell A, Lopez M, Jones PW, Coxson HO, Springmeyer SC, Gonzalez X. Multicentre European study for the treatment of advanced emphysema with bronchial valves. Eur Respir J. 2012 Jun;39(6):1319-1325

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subject has severe and heterogeneous emphysema with severe dyspnea

• Subject certified to meet the criteria of ATS/ERS guidelines for management of stable COPD

• Subject must be able to demonstrate physical ability to participate in the study by performing a 6-minute walk distance of ≥ 140 m

• Subject has abstained from cigarette smoking for 4 months and is willing to abstain throughout the study

• Pulmonary Function Testing Results (PFT's) demonstrate:

  • FEV1 ≤ 45% of predicted
  • RV ≥ 150% of predicted
  • TLC ≥ 100% of predicted

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient has a BMI < 15 kg/m2

• Arterial Blood Gas Level (ABG) indicates:

  • PCO2 > 55 mm Hg
  • PO2 < 45 mm Hg on room air

• Subject has a diffuse emphysema pattern

• Subject has bronchitis with sputum production > 4 Tablespoons or 60 ml per day

• Subject has an active asthma (>15 mg of prednisone daily)

• Giant bulla (> 1/3 volume of lung)

• Pulmonary hypertension

• Subject with prior major lung surgery or recent hospitalization for COPD exacerbation or respiratory infections