Zephyr® Valves
More than 100 scientific articles have been published on the clinical benefits of endobronchial valves.
Zephyr Valves
Zephyr Valve treatment is a minimally invasive option where small valves are placed into the most diseased lobe of your lung. The valves allow air out, but not in. This helps the healthy parts of the lung expand so that patients can breathe more easily¹. Zephyr Valves are covered by statutory and private health insurance, but not all hospitals offer this treatment. Your doctor will be able to suggest when Zephyr Valve treatment may be suitable for you. Find out more about what your journey towards Zephyr Valve treatment might look like below.
Treatment Timeline
Consultation with your GP
If you potentially have emphysema, please talk to your GP if an advance assessment might be suitable for you. Discuss this treatment options and the process for evaluation.
Ready to schedule an initial consultation for treatment with Zephyr Valves?
Assessment by a respiratory physician
A respiratory physician will carry out some initial investigations including spirometry, exercise tests, x-rays and a scan of your lungs to see if you might be a suitable candidate.
If these initial tests meet the criteria, you will be referred to a specialist treatment centre for consideration by a Lung Volume Reduction Multi-Disciplinary Team.
Eligibility Tests at the treating centre
Your doctor will carry out a number of tests to confirm that you have severe emphysema with hyperinflation and to determine if endobronchial valves may help you. You may already be familiar with some of these tests, but some may be new.
Spirometry: Measures how your lungs work, then your values are compared to normal values based on height, gender, and age.
Body Plethysmography: Determines how much air is trapped in your lungs from emphysema.
High Resolution CT Scan: Determines disease severity and air volume by lobe. Also evaluates fissure anatomy that separates the lobes from each other (for collateral ventilation).
Perfusion Scan: Looks at which parts of your lung receive the most air and blood circulation.
6-Minute Walk Test: Measures how much your emphysema affects your ability to exercise.
Arterial Blood Gas (ABG): Measures the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood.
Echocardiogram: Measures your heart and lung function.
Find a centerProcedure
A Zephyr Valve Treating Doctor explains what you can expect before, during, and after the Zephyr Valve procedure to help you understand if this may be right for you.
Follow up
You will need to take medications as prescribed and have your regular follow up with your GP and referring physician.
If you potentially have emphysema, please talk to your GP if an advance assessment might be suitable for you. Discuss this treatment options and the process for evaluation.
Ready to schedule an initial consultation for treatment with Zephyr Valves?
A respiratory physician will carry out some initial investigations including spirometry, exercise tests, x-rays and a scan of your lungs to see if you might be a suitable candidate.
If these initial tests meet the criteria, you will be referred to a specialist treatment centre for consideration by a Lung Volume Reduction Multi-Disciplinary Team.
Your doctor will carry out a number of tests to confirm that you have severe emphysema with hyperinflation and to determine if endobronchial valves may help you. You may already be familiar with some of these tests, but some may be new.
Spirometry: Measures how your lungs work, then your values are compared to normal values based on height, gender, and age.
Body Plethysmography: Determines how much air is trapped in your lungs from emphysema.
High Resolution CT Scan: Determines disease severity and air volume by lobe. Also evaluates fissure anatomy that separates the lobes from each other (for collateral ventilation).
Perfusion Scan: Looks at which parts of your lung receive the most air and blood circulation.
6-Minute Walk Test: Measures how much your emphysema affects your ability to exercise.
Arterial Blood Gas (ABG): Measures the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood.
Echocardiogram: Measures your heart and lung function.
Find a centerA Zephyr Valve Treating Doctor explains what you can expect before, during, and after the Zephyr Valve procedure to help you understand if this may be right for you.
You will need to take medications as prescribed and have your regular follow up with your GP and referring physician.
Benefits and Risks
Compared to patients treated with medical management alone, patients treated with Zephyr Valves have been shown to¹:
Breathe easier due to improved lung function
Increase their exercise — they could walk farther
Do more daily life activities, such as walking, bathing, and gardening
Enjoy a better quality of life with more energy
Feel more confident leaving their home
Complications can include but are not limited to pneumothorax (tear in the lung), worsening of COPD symptoms, hemoptysis, pneumonia, and, in rare cases, death.
See Important Safety Information See Important Safety Information
Do you have a specific question? Check out our FAQs section
Find answers to frequently asked questionsWhat are Zephyr Valves?
The Zephyr Valve Treatment is a minimally invasive treatment for people with severe COPD/emphysema. The Zephyr Valves are an implant designed to fit in the airways of the lungs. The valves are placed in selected airways during a bronchoscopy procedure (no incisions or cutting required) and are an alternative to the more invasive traditional lung volume reduction surgery.
Who may be a candidate?
Generally, candidates who should be evaluated for Zephyr Valve Treatment are patients who:
- Have a confirmed diagnosis of COPD or emphysema
- Have to stop to catch their breath often, even with taking their medication as directed
- Have reduced lung function (FEV1≤50% predicted)
These are general criteria but only a Zephyr Valve trained physician can determine if you are a candidate. There is an evaluation process to determine if you are a candidate for the treatment.
Am I a candidate if I have Emphysema due to Alpha 1?
Available data shows benefits in patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. The same basic inclusion criteria apply to patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency who have developed emphysema as to patients with COPD/pulmonary emphysema caused by other factors.
How do I schedule an appointment to be evaluated?
Find a treating center near you, and then call and schedule an appointment.
Depending on hospital, a "Überweisung" from your pneumologist or GP will be required.
Is there an age limit?
The procedure is for adult patients (18 years and older). A Zephyr Valve trained physician will determine if you are a candidate but there is no strict upper age limit.
Will my insurance cover this procedure?
Zephyr Valve treatment is covered by statutory and private health insurance. Most patients who qualify for the Zephyr Valve procedure are able to secure insurance coverage for their treatment.
How long does the procedure take?
The procedure is usually complete in about an hour.
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Please note: Industry regulations prohibit us from offering information or advice on the diagnosis of disease or choice of therapy to consumers or patients. Please contact your doctor or healthcare professional for this information or advice.
1. Criner G. et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2018; 198 (9):1151–1164.