National
Desk
| May 21, 2003, Wednesday
Results of
Costly Emphysema Operation Are Mixed, Study
Finds
By DENISE GRADY (NYT) 1242 words
Late Edition - Final , Section A ,
Page 29 , Column 1
ABSTRACT
- Large study finds expensive and widely
promoted lung volume reduction surgery for
severe emphysema can make patients feel
better but, on average, does not prolong
their lives; study, sponsored by National
Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and Centers
for Medicare and Medicaid Services, is
expected to help clarify who can safely have
surgery and who should avoid it; government
will use results in deciding whether
Medicare, which does not now do so, will
cover operation for elderly; study finds
surgery improves quality of life and
prolongs life of 25 percent of patients, who
have different pattern of disease (M) An
expensive and widely promoted lung operation
for severe emphysema can make many patients
feel better but on average does not prolong
their lives, researchers said yesterday,
reporting on the first large study of the
procedure.
Two million Americans have emphysema, and
the study is expected to help clarify who
can safely have the surgery and who should
avoid it. The researchers found that the
operation either did not help or was too
risky for 30 percent of the patients in the
study, who had widespread lung damage. But
in 25 percent, who had a different pattern
of disease, the operation improved both
quality of life and length of survival.
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