A Trial on the Effects of Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction in Severe Emphysema. (SOLVE)

A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial on the Systemic Effects of Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction in Patients With Severe Emphysema.

Rationale: The published clinical trials investigating the bronchoscopic lung volume reduction, showing important patient-related improvements in efficacy, led to the acknowledgement of the treatment in the GOLD-COPD2017 guidelines. Interaction with pulmonary rehabilitation, impact on patient-reported outcomes, physical activity, and extrapulmonary consequences are all topics to gain more insight in. This importantly, to further develop and optimize this innovative and personalized therapy. Objective: To study in detail the impact and optimal timing of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) on exercise physiology and patient-reported outcomes and the impact of the bronchoscopic lung volume reduction treatment using endobronchial valves (EBV) on cardiopulmonary function, metabolism and changes in body composition. Study design: This study is a randomized controlled trial with 3 study-arms. Group 1 will first follow a PR program and afterwards undergo the EBV treatment. Group 2 will first undergo the EBV treatment and approximately 8 weeks later will follow a PR program. Group 3 will only undergo the EBV treatment (and can choose to follow a PR program after completing the 6 month FU visit). Study population: The study population exist of patients with severe emphysema who undergo a bronchoscopic lung volume reduction treatment using one-way valves. Intervention: Most patients will undergo a bronchoscopic lung volume reduction treatment using endobronchial valves and a pulmonary rehabilitation program. One group of patient will under a bronchoscopic lung volume reduction treatment using endobronchial valves and can choose whether they also want to follow a pulmonary rehabilitation program afterwards. Main study parameters: The main study parameter is the difference in change in endurance time measured by an endurance cycle test between the EBV treatment group and the bronchoscopic lung volume reduction + rehabilitation group (EBV+PR).

Rationale: The published clinical trials investigating the bronchoscopic lung volume reduction, showing important patient-related improvements in efficacy, led to the acknowledgement of the treatment in the GOLD-COPD2017 guidelines. Interaction with pulmonary rehabilitation, impact on patient-reported outcomes, physical activity, and extrapulmonary consequences are all topics to gain more insight in. This importantly, to further develop and optimize this innovative and personalized therapy. Objective: To study in detail the impact and optimal timing of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) on exercise physiology and patient-reported outcomes and the impact of the bronchoscopic lung volume reduction treatment using endobronchial valves (EBV) on cardiopulmonary function, metabolism and changes in body composition. Study design: This study is a randomized controlled trial with 3 study-arms. Group 1 will first follow a PR program and afterwards undergo the EBV treatment. Group 2 will first undergo the EBV treatment and approximately 8 weeks later will follow a PR program. Group 3 will only undergo the EBV treatment (and can choose to follow a PR program after completing the 6 month FU visit). Study population: The study population exist of patients with severe emphysema who undergo a bronchoscopic lung volume reduction treatment using one-way valves. Intervention: Most patients will undergo a bronchoscopic lung volume reduction treatment using endobronchial valves and a pulmonary rehabilitation program. One group of patient will under a bronchoscopic lung volume reduction treatment using endobronchial valves and can choose whether they also want to follow a pulmonary rehabilitation program afterwards. Main study parameters: The main study parameter is the difference in change in endurance time measured by an endurance cycle test between the EBV treatment group and the bronchoscopic lung volume reduction + rehabilitation group (EBV+PR). Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness: This study has no major risks for the participating patients. The patients will be exposed to additional exercise capacity and physical activity measurements, 3 additional questionnaires, a CT scan of the quadriceps muscle, a DEXA scan and peripheral blood collection. Furthermore, a subgroup of patients will be exposed to a cardiac MRI or muscle and fat biopsies. Patient can directly benefit from the EBV treatment and the pulmonary rehabilitation program. Indirect benefit might be achieved, because, at a group level the investigators will learn more about this novel treatment for our severe emphysema patients and will be able to further optimize this treatment.

The difference in change in endurance time measured by an endurance cycle test between the EBV treatment group and the bronchoscopic lung volume reduction + rehabilitation group (EBV+PR).

• the difference between the EBV treatment group and the EBV+PR group in change in: Physical activity measured by accelerometry

• the difference between the EBV treatment group and the EBV+PR group in change in: Lung function measured by bodyplehtysmography

• the difference between the EBV treatment group and the EBV+PR group in change in: Exercise capacity measured by an 6-minute walk distance test

• the change after EBV treatment in fat-free mass index, fat mass, and fat distribution measured by a dexa scan.

Inclusion Criteria: COPD. FEV1 ≤45%pred AND FEV1/FVC <70%. TLC >100%pred AND RV>175%pred. CAT ≥18. >50% emphysema destruction @-910HU. >95% complete major fissure measured by quantitative CT analysis. Non-smoking >6 months. Signed informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: PaCO2>8.0 kPa, or PaO2<6.0kPa. 6-minute walk test <160m. Significant chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, or other infectious lung disease. 3 of more hospitalizations due to pulmonary infection within last 12 months before baseline assessments Previous lobectomy, LVRS, or lung transplantation. LVEF<45% and or RVSP>50mmHg. Anticoagulant therapy which cannot be weaned off prior to procedure. Patient is significantly immunodeficient. Involved in other pulmonary drug studies within 30 days prior to this study. Pulmonary nodule which requires intervention Any disease or condition that interferes with completion of initial or follow-up assessments

van der Molen MC, Hartman JE, Vanfleteren LEGW, Kerstjens HAM, van Melle JP, Willems TP, Slebos DJ. Reduction of Lung Hyperinflation Improves Cardiac Preload, Contractility, and Output in Emphysema: A Clinical Trial in Patients Who Received Endobronchial Valves. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2022 Sep 15;206(6):704-711. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202201-0214OC.