October 13, 2004

SIU Med School Begins National Study for Patients with Emphysema

Patients are being recruited by the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine as part of a national clinical trial for the treatment of patients with advanced emphysema. They are one of 20 sites in the United States participating in this study evaluating the efficacy and safety of the Emphasys endobroncial valve (EBV), an implantable device.

"We’re hoping the results of the study pave the way for a better quality of life for patients with advanced emphysema," said Dr. Stephen Hazelrigg, professor and chair of the cardiothoracic surgery division at SIU, who is directing the study. "The device is a tiny one-way valve that is placed in the patient’s airway, allowing air to escape and forcing the diseased area to collapse. Ultimately, the hope is to allow the healthier areas of the lung to work better and more efficiently."

To be eligible for the study, patients must be between the ages of 40 and 75 and have advanced emphysema. Each participant will be evaluated over a treatment plan of one year. They will be randomized to receive either standard optimal medical management, which is pulmonary rehabilitation, or the EBV implantable device and pulmonary rehabilitation. Study tests and procedures are paid for by the manufacturing company, Emphasys Medical, Inc. Results will be shared with the participant's personal physician.

If you are interested in participating in the study, call Theresa Boley, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, SIU School of Medicine, 217-545-5000 or email tboley@siumed.edu.

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