• The difference between the response rates of the treatment and control groups. [ Time Frame: 3-months post randomization ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

The IBV Valve System (Spiration Inc. Redmond, WA) has CE Mark approval for the treatment of diseased and damaged lung. The devices are one-way valves that can be placed in the airways via flexible bronchoscopy limiting airflow distally. For the treatment of emphysema, valves are placed in airways communicating to the most diseased areas of lung tissue to re-direct airflow to less diseased areas. A multicenter, blinded and randomized study of these valves is being conducted in 7 centers in 6 European countries. The study is evaluating the effectiveness of this therapy for the treatment of upper lobe predominant emphysema in patients with severe to very severe emphysema (GOLD classification 3 to 4) that despite best medical management continue having poor quality of life, severe symptoms and physical limitations. The primary endpoints are to measure and compare responses using the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire and lung volume changes as measured by CT-scans.

Consented patients that meet the strict inclusion criteria have a bronchoscopic procedure and are randomized into treatment or control (no valves) groups. After the procedure, all patients stay blinded to their group assignment and have follow-up evaluations at 1 and 3 months. After the 3-month evaluation, each patient is un-blinded. The treatment group is then scheduled for an additional follow-up at 6 months and the control group is offered valve treatment (rollover) and evaluated approximately 3 months later.