Endoscopic lung volume reduction using endobronchial valves

what anesthetists should know about

Abstract

Endoscopic treatments for severe pulmonary emphysema have grown in popularity over the past two decades due to the limitations of medical treatments and the risks associated with surgical treatments. Endobronchial valves, the only medical devices currently reimbursed, require a procedure under general anesthesia and their main complication is pneumothorax. Despite very careful selection of patients likely to benefit clinically from this treatment during multidisciplinary consultation meetings, in which an anesthesiologist must be present, the management of general anesthesia and complications must be well understood by the anesthesia and intensive care community.