Current interventional treatment options for severe emphysema.

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the three leading causes of death worldwide. If the feature of the disease is dominated by emphysema, we speak of an emphysematic phenotype. Interventional treatment is a standard part of the management of patients with the emphysematic phenotype of COPD. Interventional methods are surgical and endoscopic. An important point in the indication of these methods is the correct selection of profitable patients. In addition to the correct execution of the individual procedure, periprocedural management, anticipation, and optimal handling of complications in the field of severe functional disability have an important effect on the care results.