Intermountain Health Saint Joseph Hospital and National Jewish Health Pioneer AdvanceTherapy to Help COPD Patients Breathe Easier


DENVER -Intermountain Health and National Jewish Health are offering a new minimally invasive therapy that helps patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) breathe easier, be more active, and improve their daily quality of life.  

Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) uses small one-way valves placed into the airways to reduce lung hyperinflation. Lung hyperinflation develops when the lungs can't completely push out air during exhalation. This leads to air being trapped and the lungs overexpanding, which puts the patient at risk for heart and breathing complications. 

Currently within Denver, this therapy is only available at Intermountain Health Saint Joseph Hospital and National Jewish Health. 

“Our goal is to identify the patients who will benefit most from this therapy,” said Kristen Glisinski, MD, interventional pulmonologist at National Jewish Health. “When someone is a good candidate, BLVR can make a meaningful difference in their ability to breathe and stay active.” 

Because BLVR is effective only for select patients, individuals undergo a comprehensive outpatient evaluation before the procedure. Assessments can be completed at Intermountain Health Saint Joseph Hospital or National Jewish Health and include CT imaging, pulmonary function testing and a clinical review of medical history. Patients must meet specific lung function criteria and can’t be current smokers.  

“While valves are not the right answer for every patient with COPD, the therapy has improved the quality of life for many,” said Sohini Ghosh, MD, interventional pulmonologist at National Jewish Health. “It is a great option for a chronic disease with limited treatment options.” 

The procedure is performed at Saint Joseph Hospital using a bronchoscope and requires no incisions. Most patients are monitored in the hospital for at least three nights and continue their prescribed COPD medications after discharge. 

To learn more or schedule an evaluation to see if you qualify, call 303-514-2394. 

Intermountain Health operates multiple clinics and hospitals in Colorado and in five other western states. Intermountain is a nonprofit system of 34 hospitals, approximately 400 clinics, medical groups with some 4,600 employed physicians and advanced care providers, a health plan called Select Health with more than one million members, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs.  
 

National Jewish Health is the leading respiratory hospital in the nation delivering excellence in multispecialty care and world class research. Founded in 1899 as a nonprofit hospital, National Jewish Health today is the only facility in the world dedicated exclusively to groundbreaking medical research and treatment of children and adults with respiratory, cardiac, immune and related disorders. Patients and families come to National Jewish Health from around the world to receive cutting-edge, comprehensive, coordinated care. To learn more, visit njhealth.org or the media resources page.


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