View clinical trials related to Emphysema.
Filter by:The purpose of the study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the 20 mL BLVR System in treating patients with advanced upper lobe predominant emphysema.
The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of nebulized formoterol fumarate (Perforomist) to dry-powder inhaler formoterol fumarate (Foradil). Perforomist is a solution that is made into very fine spray (using a nebulizer) that is then breathed in over 10-15 minutes. Foradil is taken in a single quick, deep inhalation.
Patients with heterogenous emphysema benefits from endoscopic lung volume reduction. Until now the technique is limited to one lobe. In case of collateral ventilation patients show no improvement. Between upper and middle lobe exists the highest collateral flow. The trial examine the hypothesis, that sequential ELVR help especially those patients, which have no benefit after lobar exclusion.
Cigarette smoking causes an increase in inflammation in the lungs. In about 20% of smokers this inflammation leads to damage in lungs including making holes in the lung tissue. This damage can not be repaired and these people find it very difficult to breathe. One of the problems with this disease called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD for short, is that by the time patients visit their doctor with symptoms, the damage has already been done. At the moment, there is no way to predict which smokers will go on to develop COPD. The aim of this research is to look at smokers who breathe normally and use an imaging technique called a CT scan, to look at their lungs in more detail. Some of these people will have spots on their scan which may be caused by inflammation. We want to look at the cells at these spots to see if they make more proteins and enzymes that cause lung damage when compared to people that do not have these spots. We would then be able to predict which smokers are likely to develop COPD and treat them early before they have damaged their lungs.
A new artificial lung device has been developed that potentially provides added support to mechanical ventilation for severely damaged lungs. The Hattler Respiratory Assist Catheter is designed to provide gas exchange (deliver oxygen and remove carbon dioxide) for a period of up to 7 days, providing more time for the lungs to improve. Extrapolating from large animal data, the hypothesis is that the Hattler Catheter will be capable of providing 30% to 40% of the basal requirements of carbon dioxide exchange in a manner that is dependable and reproducible.