Piedmont Atlanta Hospital is offering a new minimally invasive treatment for emphysema. The treatment, using the Zephyr® Valve System, is groundbreaking because it is the first FDA-approved procedure for emphysema that is minimally invasive, meaning no incision or cutting is required.

“This new treatment option is a life-changer for people with emphysema and severe COPD,” said Ralitza Martin, M.D., an interventional pulmonologist with Piedmont Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine and the first physician in the state to perform this procedure. “Until now, the only other options for these patients were highly invasive treatments such as surgical lung volume reduction or lung transplantation. This minimally invasive procedure offers new hope for patients who remain symptomatic despite optimal medical care.”

This procedure places tiny valves in the airways to block off the damaged areas of the lung so air is no longer trapped there, allowing the healthier parts of the lungs to expand so patients can breathe more easily.

“We’ve been doing this procedure for several months now and I have seen a dramatic improvement in the quality of life of patients who have been treated,” said Dr. Martin.

In clinical studies, patients treated with the Zephyr® Valve System have been shown to breathe easier, be more active and energetic, be less short of breath and enjoy a significantly improved quality of life compared to untreated patients.

To learn more about the procedure visit pulmonx.com. To determine eligibility for the procedure, contact Piedmont Atlanta’s Interventional Pulmonary team at InterventionalPulmonary@piedmont.org or call 404-605-3904.