How lungs change after bronchoscopic valve treatment for emphysema
Imaging the functional response of the lung to bronchoscopic lung volume reduction
This project uses imaging to track how people with advanced emphysema respond after bronchoscopic valve treatment to help guide better breathing outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11163338 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have advanced emphysema, researchers will follow patients who receive bronchoscopic endobronchial valves and use detailed imaging to see how the lungs change. CT and functional lung scans will measure changes in lung volume, areas of collapse (atelectasis), and breathing mechanics before and after the procedure. The team will compare people who experience meaningful improvements to those who do not to look for patterns that predict benefit. The work is conducted at the University of Pennsylvania and involves imaging and follow-up visits around the valve treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with advanced emphysema and lung hyperinflation who are being considered for bronchoscopic lung volume reduction with endobronchial valves.
Not a fit: People without emphysema, with other dominant lung diseases, or who are not eligible for bronchoscopic valve treatment would not be expected to benefit or be enrolled.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help doctors predict who will benefit from valve treatment and personalize care to improve breathing and quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Bronchoscopic valves (such as the FDA-approved Zephyr valve) have helped many patients improve lung function and symptoms, but response is variable and imaging-guided selection is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rizi, Rahim R — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Rizi, Rahim R
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.