UConn John Dempsey Hospital is first in Connecticut to offer severe emphysema patients an innovative, minimally invasive valve implant to help them breathe easier.<\/p>\n
On August 10 UConn Health\u2019s Dr. Omar Ibrahim,<\/a> director of interventional pulmonary medicine<\/a> in the Department of Medicine, performed the state\u2019s first procedure using the FDA-approved Zephyr Valve.<\/p>\n The tiny valve devices allow severe emphysema patients to breathe better, be more active and have improved quality of life by improving their lung function. According to Ibrahim the technology will also help his patients improve their results of pulmonary lung function tests, decrease their shortness of breath, and reduce their daily reliance on supplemental oxygen.<\/p>\n \u201cThis procedure is giving severe emphysema patients a new lease on life by making it easier for them to \u00a0breathe again by blocking off the most diseased section of their lung and allowing the healthy parts of the lung to function better,\u201d says Ibrahim. \u201cThis technology is going to help improve not only my emphysema patients\u2019 breathing but their quality of life by lifting the current restrictions on their daily activities. They will now be able to enjoy life again, play with their grandkids, and go on walks.\u201d<\/p>\n Ibrahim adds: \u201cThis technology is a true game-changer for patients with severe emphysema. It\u2019s a new solution we can offer the citizens of our state living each day with very difficult and debilitating emphysema. The disease has not had a significant treatment breakthrough in a very long time.\u201d<\/p>\n