A Long-Term Follow-Up Investigation of Endobronchial Valves in Emphysema (the LIVE Study): Study Protocol and Six-Month Interim Analysis Results of a Prospective Five-Year Observational Study

Background: Randomized controlled trials indicate that significant lung volume reduction (ELVR) can be obtained with Zephyr (R) valves by occluding the target lobe in the absence of collateral ventilation, leading to relevant functional benefits in advanced emphysema patients. Objectives: To observe the long-term effects of endobronchial valve (EBV) implantation in emphysema patients screened by Chartis assessment in the context of daily pulmonology practice. Methods: The LIVE Study is a prospective, observational, open-label, single-arm, multicenter trial conducted in Germany. 498 patients included in this interim analysis were enrolled between July 2, 2012, and September 16, 2014. The 6-month follow-up visit data were recorded for 343 patients (safety population), and complete data sets were available for 321 treated patients (efficacy population) -56.4% male, age: 64.5 years, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) % predicted: 31.3%, residual volume (RV) % predicted: 252%. Results: Efficacy results at 6 months: FEV1 (l) increased by + 100 ml (+ 11.9%), RV (l) decreased by -0.42 liter, and the COPD Assessment Test score decreased by -3.14 points (each p < 0.0001). Safety outcomes: A total of 66 adverse events (AEs; with 50 serious AEs - SAEs) were reported in 55 patients (16%) during the hospital stay for EBV placement pneumothorax (35 cases), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation (5 cases), and pneumonia (4 cases). During the subsequent 6-month follow-up window, 170 SAEs were recorded in 125 patients (36.4%), predominantly COPD exacerbation (53% of the SAEs). Conclusion: The current results of this large-scale German observational study performed in the context of daily practice further demonstrates that ELVR with Zephyr (R) valves is an effective and well-tolerated treatment option in advanced emphysema. (C) 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel