Question about endobronchial valves for Americans in the UK

[Catfinger77]

Does anyone know whether an American such as myself would be able to come to the UK and get endobronchial valve surgery, and what might be the cost?

[Hidden]

Yes of course, anyone can use private health services here. This surgery was pioneered at the Royal Brompton, a specialist lung hospital in London. Here’s a link rbht.nhs.uk/healthprofessio... They have a private unit, though some of their consultants see patients at other nearby clinics. I’ve no idea of the cost but you can get a quote.

[Catfinger77 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much.

[stone-UK]

HI

Selection of private clinics.

Nuffield Health, Leeds Hospital

Mr Kostas Papagiannopoulos Mr Richard Milton

2, Leighton Street

LS1 3EB West Yorkshire, Leeds Phone: [phone]

Spire Leeds Hospital

Mr Kostas Papagiannopoulos

Roundhay Hall, Jackson Ave LS8 1NT Roundhay, Leeds Phone: [phone]

T he Harley Street Clinic

Dr Pallav Shah

78 Harley street

W1G 7HJ London Phone: [phone]

The Manor Hospital

Ms Elizabeth Belcher

Beech Road, Headington OX3 7RP Oxford

Phone: [phone]

Global list.

pulmonx.com/ous/patients/fi...

[Catfinger77 in reply to stone-UK]

Thank you!

[carolg1 in reply to stone-UK]

Hi stone can you have this procedure with bronchiectasis do you know ? Xx hope your wee , carol

[stone-UK in reply to carolg1]

Hi

As far as I am aware it’s only suitable for emphysema. The valves reduce the air trapping.

[carolg1 in reply to stone-UK]

Thanks stone I thought that xx

[soulsaver]

Please let us know what you find out regarding availability and cost. Are you researching for yourself? What is the cost in the US?

[Catfinger77 in reply to soulsaver]

I will post when I get information. I sent a query through Brompton's website and waiting for a reply. Yes, I'm researching for myself. The procedure has not yet been approved in the US, so they haven't cooked up a price yet.

[Sutton5 in reply to Catfinger77]

The Golden Jubilee hospital in Clydebank Scotland, also do it, I do know only emphysema Patients qualify for the surgery, you must have a good weight, done 12 weeks pulmonary rehab, CT scans, non smoker the procedure is done through nose or mouth, i'm pretty sure the lung function has to be in stage 4 Good luck and take care

[Catfinger77 in reply to Sutton5]

Thanks for your reply Sutton5. In turns out I was able to get the valve procedure just as the Covid was beginning. My pulmonologist implanted four Spiration valves in August of 2020. Thankfully, all went well with no complications and the procedure significantly improved my condition.

[Catfinger77]

I received a reply that I certainly can get treatment at Brompton, and I asked what the range of charges might be, and am waiting for their reply. If I can swing it, which is probably doubtful, then I might try to combine a first-time trip to the UK with my treatment.

[Wint in reply to Catfinger77]

I've only just seen your post but I can tell you what the cost might be. Fortunately my insurance company paid. The valves themselves are £2250 each and they normally put in from 3 to 5, although in my case I needed 7. Add in the hospital stay (you need to be under observation for 4 or 5 days because of the risk of a pneumothorax) and you'll be looking at around £20,000. But before they go ahead you will need a range of lung tests and scans to see if you're suitable which also takes time. Maybe you could arrange to have those done in the US? I wish you luck and can say that the procedure in my case has resulted in a huge improvement and turned the clock back as far as my quality of life is concerned.

[Catfinger77 in reply to Wint]

Thanks for your reply. The US FDA has not yet approved the implementation of these valves but I will probably wait to see if they do so. The expense in going to the UK and paying costs of private care would be a bit much for me. Thanks again.

[Wint in reply to Catfinger77]

I puled this from a web search if you weren't aware, published Jan 10 :

Pulmonx Corp today announced its filing of a Premarket Approval (PMA) application with the FDA for the Zephyr Endobronchial Valve (EBV), a minimally-invasive and removable device designed to treat severe emphysema, an advanced form of COPD. The Zephyr EBV is the only device designed for emphysema that has a clinically-validated diagnostic tool – the Chartis System – which can identify likely responders in order to optimize patient outcomes.

Best wishes

[Catfinger77]

Thanks, Wint. I had heard that they had filed, but I always assume it will take a while to go through. I'll keep an eye on this.

[WINDBAG in reply to Catfinger77]

Hello I am in US NY just had consult with surgeon for lung reduction surgery and he suggested the lung valves rather than surgery and is making appointment for me to see a doctor who performs procedure .so it must be approved in US medicare covers this procedure.

[Catfinger77 in reply to WINDBAG]

Getting the valves will be much less invasive than the lung reduction surgery. Yes, the US FDA has approved the Pulmonx valve and I'm glad you will be able to get that. My pulmonologist told me that he doesn't think I should have the valve procedure at this point. He said the risk of adverse reactions, though small, are probably not worth my getting the procedure. I think he feels I'm doing well enough without the procedure for now, so I will follow his advice. It's good to know the new valves will be available here in the US, though. Good luck with your procedure. I've read a bit about them and they seem to be very beneficial.