Local Physicians Evaluate Benefits and Risks of Lung Volume Reduction Surgery in First-Of-Its-Kind National Medical Research Study.

Business/Health and Medical Writers

CLEVELAND--(BW HealthWire)--March 13, 2000

Cleveland Area Patients With Emphysema, A Form Of COPD,

May Be Eligible For The National Emphysema Treatment Trial

Physicians at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation (CCF) are evaluating if lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) has a role in the treatment of patients with emphysema, a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This first-of-its-kind medical research study, called the National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT), aims to reach people with emphysema, a degenerative and ultimately fatal lung disease. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health, in collaboration with the Health Care Financing Administration, which manages Medicare, is seeking eligible Cleveland area emphysema patients for this important study. Those interested in more information about NETT can call 1-800-314-2597 or visit www.EmphysemaStudy.org.

The study will enroll a total of 2,500 emphysema patients who will receive medical treatment from some of the country's top pulmonary specialists and thoracic surgeons. All patients enrolled in NETT will receive six to 10 weeks of medical treatment and may then be randomly assigned to either surgery with medical treatment or medical treatment alone. Each participant's exercise ability, lung function and quality of life will be periodically monitored. In addition, each patient will retain his or her own primary care physician.

"Lung volume reduction surgery has been reported to have a possible role in the treatment of emphysema. NETT will help us better understand if there are long-term benefits and what the risks are," comments Dr. Janet R. Maurer, head of section, lung transplantation, the Cleveland Clinic Foundation (CCF).

An estimated 16 million people in the United States suffer from COPD, a family of lung diseases that cause permanent lung damage. People with COPD experience an obstruction to airflow during exhalation. Emphysema, a common form of COPD, affects nearly 2 million people in the United States, with associated costs of $2.5 billion annually. Smoking is almost always identified as the major cause of the disease. Most emphysema sufferers are over the age of 50. In the early stages of emphysema, patients may have shortness of breath during light exertion. In the moderate to severe stage, shortness of breath persists even at rest. In this disease, the tiny air sacs in the lungs called alveoli are damaged, causing the lungs, which normally stretch as a person breathes in, to lose their elasticity. Damaged alveoli trap air in the lungs making it difficult for the person to breathe.

Medical treatment can often result in significant benefits for emphysema patients, evidenced by a marked improvement in their overall ability to care for themselves. During this treatment, patients are taught specific exercises and breathing techniques, and are provided with medications, nutrition counseling and stress management strategies, as well as psychosocial support. LVRS, which involves removal of up to 30 percent of a patient's emphysematous lung tissue, was first attempted in the late 1950s. Since then, advances in medical management have enabled surgeons to refine the procedure. NETT was conceived to evaluate if LVRS has a role in the treatment of patients with emphysema.

"Emphysema is a devastating disease and we continue to search for treatment options," comments Dr. Gail Weinmann, medical officer at the NHLBI. "Medical treatment can produce excellent results for many patients. We must now determine if surgery also has a role."

Eligible patients must be on Medicare, or their private insurance carrier must be willing to support their enrollment in NETT. All participants must have stopped smoking or be willing to stop in order to participate in the study. Patients interested in participating in this medical research study should call 1-800-314-2597 or refer to www.EmphysemaStudy.org for more information.