“[This procedure] is marvelous. It changes your life…it is a second chance at life.”
Lucie maintained a very active social life before her emphysema symptoms progressed. She enjoyed dancing, shopping and spending time with family and friends. Lucie recalls the first time in her life where she felt she could not breathe. She knew her breathing was getting worse but had never felt complete breathlessness like that before. Soon after, she was diagnosed with emphysema by her doctor, who also informed her of her Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, the most commonly known genetic risk factor for emphysema in which patients do not have the protein needed to protect their lungs. Despite medical management and oxygen therapy, Lucie was still not getting the relief she needed to continue doing the things she loved to do.
Lucie regularly attended the Alpha-1 Foundation National Conference, where she found out about the Spiration Valve System, a one-way valve that redirects air from diseased parts of the lungs to healthier parts. A woman she had met at the conference told Lucie of the benefits she heard from a friend who also had the procedure. This information gave Lucie hope that she, too, could benefit from this procedure. She was evaluated by her pulmonologist and, through a series of non-invasive tests, was determined to be a candidate for Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction with the Spiration Valve. This procedure helped restore Lucie’s quality of life by reducing her symptoms and she feels like she has what she describes as, “a second chance at life”.
She can now do the activities she loves without a second thought and daily chores no longer seem impossible to complete. Lucie often shares her experience with the Spiration Valve System with others to ensure other severe emphysema patients have the chance to find out if they are eligible for this procedure.
She is dancing again, shopping again, and living again. #BEYOUAGAIN
Visit the Glossary of Terms for a definition of these clinical terms.
Potential complications which may be associated with bronchoscopy and/or the Spiration Valve System may include, but are not limited to, pneumothorax, worsening of COPD symptoms, pneumonia, dyspnea and in rare cases, death. Prior to using the Spiration Valve System, please review the full list of prescriptive information at https://svs.olympusamerica.com/prescriptive-information for additional information on indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions and potential complications.
