Rationale:

The diaphragm is the principal respiratory muscle, which separates the thorax from the abdomen. Hyperinflation of the lung places the diaphragm at a mechanical disadvantage, shortens its operating length and changes the mechanical arrangement of costal and crural components of the diaphragm and consequently decrease the tension that can be developed and the amount of transdiaphragmatic pressure that can be produced. Reducing the lung hyperinflation could improve the diaphragm function mechanically. One of the treatments to reduces lung hyperinflation is the bronchoscopic treatment using endobronchial valves. To our knowledge the change in diaphragm function after bronchoscopic endobronchial valve treatment was never investigated.

Objective:

To investigate the change in diaphragm function after bronchoscopic lung volume reduction treatment with endobronchial valves (EBV).

Study design:

Observational study in which the study population will be asked to perform some additional test during regular visits for the bronchoscopic lung volume reduction treatment with valves.

Main study parameters: Change in diaphragm function 6 week after EBV treatment measured by ultrasound. The main outcome will be diaphragm motion (difference between maximum in- and expiration).

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patient is scheduled for a bronchoscopic lung volume treatment using one-way valves
2. Patient read, understood and signed the Informed Consent Form

Exclusion Criteria:

There are no exclusion criteria for this study.

Patients with severe emphysema who undergo a bronchoscopic lung volume reduction treatment with one-way endobronchial valves.

Data can be shared on reasonable request