We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Targeted Airway Ablation Reduces COPD Exacerbations

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 11 Oct 2018
Print article
Image: The Nuvaira lung denervation system and dNerva dual cooled RFA catheter (Photo courtesy of Nuvaira).
Image: The Nuvaira lung denervation system and dNerva dual cooled RFA catheter (Photo courtesy of Nuvaira).
Symptoms of persistent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be significantly reduced when obstructed airways are opened by targeted lung denervation (TLD), claims a new study.

Researchers at University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG; The Netherlands), University Hospital Leuven (UZ Leuven, Belgium), and other institutions conducted a multinational phase 2 clinical study of the Nuvaira lung denervation system and dual cooled radiofrequency ablation (RFA) catheter probe. The trial included 82 patients (50% male, average age 64); half the participants underwent an outpatient TLD procedure, and the other half underwent a sham procedure.

During TLD, performed under general anesthesia, a bronchoscope is used to insert a balloon catheter that contains the RFA probe into the airway. Specific nerves are selectively ablated to target the cholinergic pathway, which regulates the inflammatory response and smooth muscle constriction. The esophagus itself is protected from the electrodes with a tissue-mimicking gel during the 75-minute procedure. In addition, all patients received tiotropium, an anticholinergic bronchodilator. Eighty-one patients completed a six-month follow-up.

The results revealed that TLD improved lung function in COPD patients; while 71% of the patients who received the sham treatment had an adverse respiratory event related to COPD, only 32% of the TLD patients suffered one. None of the patients died, and there were no TLD-related adverse effects. Five patients (12%) in the treatment group experienced gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, abdominal bloating, and digestion discomfort, which disappeared after six months. The study was presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress, held during September 2018 in Paris (France).

“We have been able to significantly reduce chronic respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath, exacerbations of the disease, infections and hospitalizations in a group of COPD patients who are already on aggressive medical therapy,” said lead author and study presenter Dirk-Jan Slebos, MD, PhD, of UMCG. “There was also a trend towards improved quality of life and better lung function in the treated patients. It's a new mechanism of treatment that will not replace drugs, but really strengthens them. From my point of view, it's really a step-up approach at the moment.”

The nervous system can suppress inflammation through the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway by stimulation of the vagus nerve, which controls parasympathetic tone, heart rate variability, and the release of acetylcholine, which in turn inhibits the inflammatory response by inhibiting release of pro-the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). If pro-inflammatory cytokines are released over a prolonged period, they can exacerbate diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), inflammatory bowel disease, and atherosclerosis.

Related Links:
University Medical Center Groningen
University Hospital Leuven

Gold Member
STI Test
Vivalytic Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Array
Gold Member
12-Channel ECG
CM1200B
Silver Member
Compact 14-Day Uninterrupted Holter ECG
NR-314P
New
PACS Workstation
CHILI Web Viewer

Print article

Channels

Critical Care

view channel
Image: Researchers have developed a novel risk score for cardiovascular complications after bone marrow transplant (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Novel Tool Predicts Cardiovascular Risks after Bone Marrow Transplantation

Every year, thousands of people undergo bone marrow transplants to potentially cure serious diseases like leukemia, lymphoma, and immune deficiency disorders. While these transplants can be lifesaving,... Read more

Patient Care

view channel
Image: The newly-launched solution can transform operating room scheduling and boost utilization rates (Photo courtesy of Fujitsu)

Surgical Capacity Optimization Solution Helps Hospitals Boost OR Utilization

An innovative solution has the capability to transform surgical capacity utilization by targeting the root cause of surgical block time inefficiencies. Fujitsu Limited’s (Tokyo, Japan) Surgical Capacity... Read more

Health IT

view channel
Image: First ever institution-specific model provides significant performance advantage over current population-derived models (Photo courtesy of Mount Sinai)

Machine Learning Model Improves Mortality Risk Prediction for Cardiac Surgery Patients

Machine learning algorithms have been deployed to create predictive models in various medical fields, with some demonstrating improved outcomes compared to their standard-of-care counterparts.... Read more

Point of Care

view channel
Image: The new eye-safe laser technology can diagnose traumatic brain injury (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Novel Diagnostic Hand-Held Device Detects Known Biomarkers for Traumatic Brain Injury

The growing need for prompt and efficient diagnosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI), a major cause of mortality globally, has spurred the development of innovative diagnostic technologies.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.