Drug-Eluting Lung Stents for Emphysema
DESCRIPTION
Individuals with emphysema suffer from ongoing inflammation of the airway due to damage caused by inhaled tobacco smoke or other irritants. Damage to the alveoli (air sacs) inhibits normal gas (oxygen and carbon dioxide) exchange because of the loss of elasticity which results in air being trapped. This trapping of air produces hyperinflation of the lungs, causing breathing difficulties for the individual.
A procedure called airway bypass has been proposed as a means of decreasing this hyperinflation of the lung. This procedure utilizes drug-eluting lung stents and is intended to reestablish collateral ventilation allowing the trapped air to be freed.
POLICY
Drug-eluting lung stents for the treatment of emphysema is considered investigational.
Policies with similar titles: Drug-Eluting Stents for the Prevention and Management of Restenosis
IMPORTANT REMINDER
We develop Medical Policies to provide guidance to Members and Providers. This Medical Policy relates only to the services or supplies described in it. The existence of a Medical Policy is not an authorization, certification, explanation of benefits or a contract for the service (or supply) that is referenced in the Medical Policy. For a determination of the benefits that a Member is entitled to receive under his or her health plan, the Member's health plan must be reviewed. If there is a conflict between the Medical Policy and a health plan, the express terms of the health plan will govern.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Published evidence of well-designed studies in peer review journals and randomized, controlled trials with long-term follow-up are not available.
SOURCES
Choong, C. K., Macklem, P. T., Pierce, J. A., Das, N., Lutey, B. A., Martinez, C. O., et al. (2008). (2008). Airway bypass improves the mechanical properties of explanted emphysematous lungs. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 178 (9), 902-905. (Level 4 Evidence - Industry sponsored)
Ernst, A., & Anantham, D. (2010). Endoscopic management of emphysema. Clinics in Chest Medicine, 31 (1), 117-126.
Grgic, A., Wilkens, H., Kubale, R., Groschel, A., Buecker, A., & Sybrecht, G. W. (2008). Low-dose MDCT for surveillance of patients with severe homogeneous emphysema after bronchoscopic airway bypass. American Journal of Roentgenology, 191 (3), W112-W119. (Level 4 Evidence - Independent study)
ORIGINAL EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/11/2008
MOST RECENT REVIEW DATE: 4/8/2010
ID_BT
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This document has been classified as public information.