New Procedure at Northwest Medical Center – Bentonville for Those With COPD, Emphysema

4/4/2024

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (April 4, 2024) – Are you suffering from COPD or emphysema? The endobronchial valve placement, a new minimally-invasive treatment option, is now available at Northwest Medical Center – Bentonville (NMC-B) under the care of Dr. Jason Bailey, pulmonologist at Northwest Pulmonology – Bentonville.

This procedure has no incisions and involves the placement of one-way valves in a section of the lung where air has been trapped. These valves allow trapped air to be exhaled from the lungs and prevent more air from becoming trapped there.

People who have a confirmed diagnosis of COPD or emphysema; have to stop to catch their breath often, even with taking their medication as directed; or have reduced lung function are eligible to consider evaluation.

“Our evaluation begins with a diagnostic workup including pulmonary function testing (PFTs), a CT scan and additional tests so I can make a determination,” Dr. Bailey said. “This workup helps me find out more about how your lungs are functioning and if you’re a candidate for the valve placement procedure.”

The endobronchial treatment involves having, on average, four tiny valves placed in a targeted section of the lung where air has become trapped. The one-way valve then allows the trapped air to escape resulting in the patient’s ability to breathe easier and experience less shortness of breath.

“The valves we place in the lung are an implant designed to fit in your lung’s airways and are an alternative to lung volume reduction surgery, which can be more invasive,” Dr. Bailey said. “During the procedure we don’t make any cuts or incisions. The one-way valves allow trapped air to be exhaled from the lungs and prevent more air from becoming trapped there which helps patients breathe better and do more.”

“We’ve been working hard to expand our pulmonology services at Northwest Medical Center – Bentonville,” said NMC-B Chief Executive Officer Chris Blair. “From the minimally-invasive lung biopsies we launched a little more than a year ago to our new valve placement procedure, we’re passionate about helping our community get better and improve their quality of life.”

To learn more about endobronchial valve placement or minimally invasive biopsies of the lung, contact Northwest Pulmonology – Bentonville at (479) 553-3310.

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