Medical Center at Bowling Green brings a new system to combat chronic lung issues

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The Medical Center at Bowling Green has incorporated the Spiration Valve System for adult patients with severe emphysema.

“Patients with emphysema often struggle to breathe because damaged areas of the lung trap air, leaving patients with very little space in the lungs to inhale and exhale,” said Dr. Rodney Steff, pulmonologist at Med Center Health.

The SVS includes an umbrella-shaped device placed in the targeted airways of the lung during a brief bronchoscopy. Once in place, the device redirects air from diseased lung regions to healthier ones, allowing the healthier lung tissue to expand and function more effectively.

Steff said Kentucky has one of the highest smoking rates in the country, which contributes to the high rates of  COPD and emphysema

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 16 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Clinical studies evaluating SVS demonstrated significant improvements in lung function, respiratory symptoms, and quality-of-life scores 24 months after treatment..

You can learn more at MedCenterHealth.org.