Lung Volume Reduction Surgery and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality, affecting more than 15 million patients in the United States (1). A major feature of COPD is a reduction in maximum expiratory flow, which develops progressively over several decades, results in increasing exertional dyspnea, and may lead to lethal respiratory failure (2). Medical treatments may help in relieving exertional dyspnea and in reducing the severity and duration of exacerbations. However, they have not been shown in the majority of COPD patients to improve the rate of decline in pulmonary function.