FDA-approved
device improves breathing without major surgery

Cleveland
Clinic Weston recently announced that it is now offering a new
procedure designed to help patients with Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or advanced emphysema breathe easier. The
procedure, which involves placing endobronchial valves in patients’
lungs, was recently FDA-approved. Cleveland Clinic Weston is the
first hospital in South Florida to offer this new treatment option
for patients with advanced respiratory conditions.

The
treatment is performed during a bronchoscopy, a procedure that allows
a doctor to examine the inside of the lungs, including the bronchi,
which are the main airways into the lungs. Depending on the severity
of the case, an average of one to four tiny valves are placed in the
airways to block off the diseased parts of the lungs. The valves
reduce hyperinflation by preventing air from being trapped in the
diseased area of the lung and allowing healthier parts of the lung to
take in more air, lifting pressure off the diaphragm.

“Offering
this advanced lung treatment will significantly improve the overall
quality of life for our patients,” said Rodolfo Blandon, M.D.,
President of Cleveland Clinic Weston. “As we strive to provide our
patients with the latest innovation and services, we are excited to
be the first hospital providing this new treatment at Cleveland
Clinic Weston’s Pulmonary Medicine Department.”

This
announcement is particularly timely as November is designated Lung
Cancer Awareness Month. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a
group of diseases that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is
a significant risk factor for lung cancer. Both COPD and lung cancer
are major worldwide health concerns owing to cigarette smoking, and
represent a huge, worldwide, preventable disease burden.

Patients
suffering from COPD may experience coughing, wheezing, shortness of
breath, chest tightness and ongoing fatigue. Emphysema and chronic
bronchitis affect approximately 23 million people in the United
States, with emphysema most commonly found in men between the ages of
50 and 70.

About
Cleveland Clinic Weston

Cleveland Clinic Weston, part
of Cleveland Clinic’s Florida region, is a nonprofit,
multi-specialty, academic medical center that integrates clinical and
hospital care with research and education. For patients travelling
from the Cayman Islands, the facility is just a short drive from both
Fort Lauderdale and Miami International Airports. With locations in
Weston, Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs, Parkland, West Palm Beach,
Wellington, and Palm Beach Gardens, Cleveland Clinic Weston has more
than 250 physicians with expertise in 55 specialties. The medical
campus is fully integrated and includes diagnostic centers,
outpatient surgery and a 24-hour emergency department located in the
state-of-the-art hospital. Cleveland Clinic’s Florida region now
includes Cleveland Clinic Indian River and Cleveland Clinic Martin
Health and has hospitals and outpatient centers in Broward, Palm
Beach, Martin and St. Lucie Counties. The Florida region is an
integral part of Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, where providing
outstanding patient care is based upon the principles of cooperation,
compassion and innovation. Physicians at Cleveland Clinic are experts
in the treatment of complex conditions that are difficult to
diagnose. For more information about Cleveland Clinic Florida, visit
www.clevelandclinicflorida.org.
Follow us on Twitter
and Facebook.

Media
Contact: