Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: History and progress

Emphysema is one of the pathological manifestations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which leads to lung hyperinflation, decreased activity of the diaphragm, decreased compliance of the lung, and difficulties in gas exchange. The clinical effect of pharmacological treatment for patients with severe emphysema is limited. In recent years, the emergence of bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) has opened up the possibility for the management of COPD with severe emphysema. The article aims to summarize the development, procedure, and methodology of BLVR as well as its clinical efficacy.