Els den Dikken - The Netherlands
Treatment Details: Els, a patient from the Netherlands, had the Zephyr® Valve Procedure a few years ago for her severe COPD/emphysema
Age at treatment: 59
Hospital: Groningen Medical Hospital, the Netherlands
Date of procedure: 2018
I noticed a lot of differences at home. It was an eye-opener, it was fantastic.
– Els, patient with severe COPD/emphysema
Life Before Zephyr Endobronchial Valves:
It happened automatically. You notice that you can do less and less. I was struggling to breathe, couldn’t do many things, and it made me tired. I could no longer do that job, as it became too physically demanding.
Emphysema creeps in without you realizing. It is really cruel that it is only discovered so late because you raise the alarm too late. I was diagnosed with COPD in 2005.
Life After Zephyr Endobronchial Valves:
„I noticed a lot of differences at home. It was an eye-opener, it was fantastic.’ After the bronchoscopic treatment, Els can shower and climb stairs without stopping, and is back to doing what she loves — cycling!”
Watch the video to see how Els from the Netherlands is doing now years after she had the Zephyr Endobronchial Valve procedure for severe COPD/emphysema.
What is the Zephyr Valve procedure?
The Zephyr Valve is intended for the treatment of patients with severe emphysema – a form of COPD. A physician uses a bronchoscope to place on average 4 tiny valves in the airways to block off the damaged areas of the lungs so air no longer gets trapped there. No cutting or incision is required and the procedure is usually completed in approximately an hour.
The valve placement allows the healthier parts of the lungs to expand and relieves the pressure on the diaphragm, which decreases shortness of breath and makes breathing easier. Some patients report being able to take full breaths immediately after the procedure and within a few days are back to doing everyday tasks with more ease.
Endobronchial Valves are implantable bronchial valves indicated for the bronchoscopic treatment of adult patients with hyperinflation associated with severe emphysema in regions of the lung that have little to no collateral ventilation. Complications can include but are not limited to pneumothorax (tear in the lung), worsening of COPD symptoms, hemoptysis, pneumonia, and, in rare cases, death. The Zephyr Valve is contraindicated in patients who have not quit smoking. Please talk with your physician about other contraindications, warnings, precautions, and adverse events. Only a trained physician can decide whether a particular patient is an appropriate candidate for treatment with the Zephyr Valve.