Florida’s Mayo Clinic performs first endoscopic lung volume reduction procedure

Editor's Note

The Mayo Clinic in Florida announced March 26 that it is the first center in the state to perform endoscopic lung volume reduction with endobronchial valves.

The procedure, which was recently approved by the Food & Drug Administration, is used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases such as advanced emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

The treatment involves shrinking the most damaged lobe of the lung to allow more space for the healthier part of the lung to function. Only a few centers in the US offer this treatment.