Second Breath
Minimally invasive procedure improves lung function for people with emphysema
March 17, 2025
4 minute read
Minimally invasive procedure improves lung function for people with emphysema
In the summer of 2024, Bernie O’Connell was in a desperate place. After smoking cigarettes for most of his life, his lungs were in bad shape because he had developed emphysema, an advanced form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD.
“It was a constant struggle for air, and I was completely dependent on my portable oxygen tank,” Bernie said. “Breathing was so difficult that I couldn’t even walk around my apartment. I was cut off from having a social life because I was afraid to go anywhere in case I ran out of oxygen.”
Emphysema is progressive. Medication, inhalers and oxygen therapy can help, but there is no cure. Bernie said he felt like a prisoner of his disease. His outlook changed when he read a news article featuring Jonathan Kurman, MD, interventional pulmonologist with the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin health network and MCW faculty member. The article highlighted a minimally invasive procedure called bronchoscopic lung volume reduction, or BLVR, that treats emphysema with the placement of small valves in the airways of the lungs.
The BLVR procedure is relatively new; it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2018. Since then, it has become standard of care treatment. Still, not all primary care doctors, or even pulmonologists, are familiar with BLVR, which means many people do not realize they may benefit from it. After reading the article, Bernie talked to his pulmonologist about BLVR, and they agreed it would be worth considering. Bernie made an appointment with Dr. Kurman at Froedtert Hospital, the academic medical center of the Froedtert & MCW health network.
“I want people to realize how important it is to be their own advocate,” Bernie said. “If you have questions about a treatment, ask. If you need a second or third opinion, don’t hesitate. As soon as I met Dr. Kurman, we connected immediately. I knew I was in good hands.”
In addition to breathing tests, Bernie needed a CT scan and an ultrasound of the heart, also known as an echocardiogram, to confirm he would be eligible for the procedure. The breathing tests look at how much air is trapped in the lungs, which is the main problem for people who have emphysema.
“With emphysema, the lungs become overinflated because the air sacs are damaged,” said Elise Jondall, DNP, a nurse practitioner because of the trapped air, which pushes down on the diaphragm, the main muscle we use to breathe.”
During the BLVR procedure, three to five valves are strategically placed to block diseased parts of the lungs, allowing the healthier parts of the lungs to function better. Typically, one lung is treated first, but a patient may have the other one treated at a later date. The procedure is minimally invasive because there are no incisions. Using a bronchoscope, the valves are placed with the help of a camera that goes in through the mouth while the patient is under general anesthesia. A BLVR procedure takes about 45 minutes. It is less invasive and involves less risk than a traditional lung volume reduction surgery. Dr. Kurman is well-known on a state and national level for his expertise in BLVR procedures.
“The BLVR procedure can turn back a person’s respiratory clock by a decade,” Dr. Kurman said. “Many people with emphysema have exhausted all their options, but they do not have to feel incapacitated by their disease. With BLVR, we can do more than keep people stable. We strive to help them be asymptomatic, not just at rest, but with activity too.”
Bernie’s BLVR procedure was in July 2024. After a week in the hospital for routine monitoring of his lung function, he was able to go home and get back to his work as an academic counselor and advisor. He said it is difficult to adequately put into words what the procedure has done for him, both physically and mentally.
“It has been life changing,” Bernie said. “Before, all I ever thought about was breathing. I felt like I had nothing to live for, and I certainly do now.”
Bernie is much more mobile now and no longer feels trapped because he is afraid to run out of oxygen. He said he no longer needs to use his oxygen therapy at his apartment. Bernie used to spend summers traveling the world, and he looks forward to visiting more countries. When he does, he will be breathing easier.
For pulmonary conditions that require advanced treatment, our nationally recognized team offers the latest options, including some not widely available. From minimally invasive options to lung transplant, our team provides personalized care. Learn more at froedtert.com/lung-care.
