Dr. Ben-Gary Harvey, the Director of the Bronchoscopy and Procedure Services in the Pulmonary Division successfully started a non- surgical bronchoscopic lung volume reduction program to improve the exercise tolerance and the quality of life of individuals with COPD and severe emphysema. The program was initiated in 2019 in the Pulmonary Division at Weill Cornell Medicine.

Once an individual is evaluated and determined to be a good candidate for Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction (BLVR), the individual is brought to the hospital to have the procedure. While the individual is under anesthesia, a camera is inserted into the lungs, and small valves are deployed into the most diseased areas to occlude these non-functional portions of the lung and create room for healthier parts of the lung. After the better areas of the lung occupy the newly created space, breathing becomes easier, and so does the quality of life.   

No surgery is necessary.  

Several tests are required to determine whether individuals with COPD and severe emphysema are good candidates for BLVR.

Are you interested in learning more?
We will be hosting a few upcoming patient information sessions via Zoom. Please let us know if you would like to be added to the mailing list to receive a link to join. 

please contact valvesforlvr@med.cornell.edu to join