Coils implanted into lungs show promise for emphysema

Implanting tiny coils in the lungs of patients with severe emphysema improves exercise capacity at six months, although the short term costs of treatment are high, researchers have reported in JAMA.1

Management of emphysema, a key component of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is challenging because of the limited efficacy of currently available treatments. For example, lung volume reduction surgery, although it improves outcomes in some groups of patients, is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.

French researchers …