The Lung Microbiome and Endobronchial Valve Treatment

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Lung emphysema is often associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and without any cure. Dyspnea is the main, debilitating symptom and is relieved by inhaled bronchodilators and rehabilitation. However, a substantial number of patients continue to suffer from dyspnea and among these, many patients have severely hyperinflated lungs due to predominant emphysema. For selected patients, lung transplantation or lung volume reduction by surgical removal (LVRS) of the most emphysematous parts of the lung can improve symptoms and survival. However, LVRS is related to complications and not all patients are suitable for surgery. An alternative to LVRS is bronchial lung volume reduction with endobronchial valves (EBV). One-way valves are inserted in the bronchial system using a bronchoscope and it has emerged as a valid treatment option with similar effects as LVRS with reduction of hyperinflation and increasing pulmonary function, quality of life, and exercise capacity. The normal lung is colonized with several types of bacteria, and together this is called the microbiome. Some bacteria are potentially beneficial, while others are potentially harmful. After the insertion EBV, some patients develop chronic infections. The hypothesis is that the microbiome can affect the risk of this chronic infection, and therefore the objective of this study is to access the microbiome during the insertion of the EBV, and afterwards observe which patients develop chronic infection and if these patients are harbouring specific types of bacteria.

Detailed Description
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The objective of this study is primarily to investigate the significance of the lung microbiome on the outcome and morbidity after EBV treatment. Second, to investigate the evolution of the lung microbiome in patients later requiring valve removal or clean-up. Before the insertion of the EBV, but during the procedure, the patient will undergo a bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). BAL fluid will undergo bacterial profiling through S16-ribosomal analysis and ordinary bacterial culturing. Number of infections and need for clean-up or valve removal will be registered during the following 24 months, where the patient follows the ordinary follow-up programme. As a secondary part of the study, during the potential clean-up or valve removal, the removed material will again undergo S16-ribosomal analysis and bacterial culturing to investigate shift in microbiome.

Official Title
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The Lung Microbiome in Patients With Emphysema and Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease Treated With Endobronchial Valves: Complications and Prognosis

Conditions
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Emphysema

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: COPD patients with emphysema selected for EBV treatment by multidiciplinary team, independent of this study. Written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: - Intake of oral antibiotics within 1 month before the procedure. Patients receiving preventive long-term treatment with antibiotics can be included.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pulmonary infection | Number and severity of pulmonary infection after surgery | 2 years | 
| Valve dysfunction | Dysfunction of valves requiring clean up | 2 years | 
| Microbiome | Microbiome in bronchioalveolar lavage | During surgery | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Formation of atelectasis | Formation and maintainance of atelectasis after insertion of valve | 2 years |