Inova’s severe COPD program gives patients more options

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a disease that combines chronic bronchitis and emphysema, deal with persistent shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 16 million Americans have COPD, and many more probably have the disease but don’t know it. There is no cure for COPD, but there are treatments available that can make a real difference for patients’ quality of life. Inova’s severe COPD program specializes in caring for patients whose symptoms don’t get better with standard treatments.

“What makes our department unique is the breadth of both evaluation and treatment options that we offer patients,” said advanced lung disease and transplant physician Vikramjit Khangoora, MD. “At the severe COPD clinic, we’re a one-stop shop. We help manage patients’ COPD care along with their general pulmonologist. We can also offer them additional options like an evaluation for endobronchial valves or transplant.”

Because COPD has no cure, treatment has two main goals: stopping the disease from getting worse and making patients’ lives better by reducing their symptoms. Most advanced COPD care includes multiple medical visits to:

• A pulmonologist for medical COPD management
• An interventional pulmonologist for an endobronchial valve evaluation
• A lung transplant specialist for a transplant evaluation
• An advanced lung disease specialist for clinical research opportunities
• A pulmonary hypertension specialist

Inova’s program brings together all of the medical specialties needed to treat severe COPD under one roof – and into a single, multidisciplinary clinic visit.

Robust options for advanced COPD

Inova’s advanced lung disease team helps patients with severe obstructive lung diseases, which include not only COPD but also other, rarer forms of obstructive lung disease like A1 antitrypsin deficiency. Advanced treatment options include enzyme replacement therapy and care for liver complications caused by A1. Inova is an Alpha-1 Foundation Clinical Resource Center and a member of the Alpha-1 Foundation Clinical Resource Center Network.

The severe COPD program includes thoracic surgeons and interventional pulmonologists who work together to explore whether patients could benefit from lung volume reduction surgery or bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR). BLVR is a nonsurgical procedure that treats advanced emphysema symptoms by placing tiny valves in the airways. Endobronchial valves are the first FDA-approved, minimally invasive devices available in the United States to treat patients with severe emphysema.

Patients with severe COPD are frequently bothered by shortness of breath, even once their disease has stabilized and is not getting worse. Endobronchial valves can help patients feel better by allowing one lobe of the lung to deflate and release the air that is trapped inside. This lets healthier parts of the lung expand and take in more air. The result is less shortness of breath and more energy.

In people with severe COPD, pulmonary hypertension is a common problem. Inova’s advanced lung disease capabilities also include an accredited pulmonary hypertension center, where a multidisciplinary team evaluates patients for pulmonary hypertension. Patients can gain access to leading-edge treatments, research and clinical trials. If a transplant becomes necessary, Inova’s robust lung transplant program works closely with the severe COPD program to evaluate patients early, optimizing the transplant window with the goal of maximizing healthy years.

“Patients get a true, fully integrated multidisciplinary approach to their care,” Dr. Khangoora said. “Patients get access to experts in the field, the latest and greatest in clinical research, and a comprehensive approach to their COPD that leaves no stone unturned in the quest to improve their quality and quantity of life.”

Learn more about Inova’s severe COPD program.