New York Methodist Launches Clinical Trial for New Emphysema Treatment
Jan 9, 2008
Arthur Sung, M.D., director of interventional pulmonology at New York Methodist Hospital, is the principal investigator of NYM's clinical trial on new emphysema treatment.
New York Methodist Hospital is seeking individuals who have advanced widespread emphysema to participate in an international, multi-center clinical trial. This trial investigates a treatment that may provide an important new, minimally-invasive option for people with advanced widespread emphysema. The particular procedure being tested-which is called airway bypass-creates pathways in the lung for trapped air to escape and, in turn, relieves emphysema symptoms, including shortness of breath. Emphysema is a chronic and irreversible lung disease that is characterized by the destruction of lung tissue. It affects an estimated 60 million people worldwide and there are more than three million sufferers in the United States.
"We are excited to be part of this study because currently there are limited treatment options for emphysema patients, said Arthur Sung, M.D., director of interventional pulmonology and the principal investigator for the study at NYM's Institute for Asthma and Other Lung Diseases. "By creating new pathways for airflow with the airway bypass procedure, we hope to improve lung function." While the airway bypass procedure is still under clinical investigation, early data suggests that it may hold promise for patients with emphysema.
Patient involvement in the study will last from approximately 15 months up to five years (depending on whether the patient is randomized to the control or the treatment group) and includes eight to 16 physician visits. Participants must be over the age of 35 and must no longer smoke (or be willing to stop smoking two months prior to entering the study). All study-related medical procedures will be carried out at no charge to those participants who qualify, and patients will be closely monitored throughout the trial. Participants will also receive at least 14 weeks of pulmonary rehabilitation therapy. Those who are interested in participating in the study should call 718-780-5835 for more information.