Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction: recent updates

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of mortality in the world (1). Medical therapy includes short- and long-acting bronchodilators, inhaled and oral corticosteroids, and other medications coupled with oxygen support, pulmonary rehabilitation and smoking cessation, among other therapies. With advanced disease, response to treatment wanes and few options exist. Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) improves pulmonary function, exercise capacity and quality of life in a subset of patients, but due to perceived risks and costs is not commonly offered (2). Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) offers a possible alternative and much interest has been generated in the techniques. This review offers emerging evidence regarding the efficacy of BLVR