Changes in Dynamic Lung Mechanics After Lung Volume Reduction Coil Treatment of Severe Emphysema

We assessed the relationships between changes in lung compliance, lung volumes and dynamic hyperinflation in patients with emphysema who underwent bronchoscopic treatment with nitinol coils (coil treatment) (n=11) or received usual care (UC) (n=11). Compared with UC, coil treatment resulted in decreased dynamic lung compliance (C) (p=0.03) and increased endurance time (p=0.010). The change in C was associated with significant improvement in FEV and FVC, with reduction in residual volume and intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure, and with increased inspiratory capacity at rest/and at exercise. The increase in end-expiratory lung volume (EELV) during exercise (EELV=EELV EELV) demonstrated significant attenuation after coil treatment (p=0.02).