Contact:
Sara Bodnar
Public Affairs
(718) 780-5367
Brooklyn, NY - September 17, 2008 - Early this year, New York Methodist Hospital began participating in an international clinical trial to investigate an important new, minimally invasive option for people with advanced widespread emphysema. The procedure being tested airway bypass creates pathways in the lung for trapped air to escape and, thereby relieves emphysema symptoms like shortness of breath.
A number of patients at New York Methodist Hospital, one of only three centers in New York City to offer the trial--have become participants. Their participation will continue for a period ranging from 15 months to five years (depending on whether they are randomly placed in the control or the treatment group). Study-related medical procedures are provided at no charge and all patients are closely monitored throughout the trial. In addition, participants receive at least 14 weeks of pulmonary rehabilitation therapy.
Early data suggest that the airway bypass procedure holds promise for patients with emphysema. "We're excited about the possibility of offering a new treatment option for emphysema patients," said Arthur Sung, M.D., director of interventional pulmonology at NYM's Institute for Asthma and Other Lung Diseases and principal investigator for the study. "We are very hopeful that creating new pathways for airflow with the airway bypass procedure will improve lung function in patients with advanced disease.
The opportunity to join the study is still available for qualified patients. Participants must be over the age of 35, have advanced, widespread emphysema and must be non-smokers (or willing to stop smoking two months prior to entering the trial). Those interested in participating should call 718 780-5835 for more information.
New York Methodist Hospital
New York Methodist Hospital, a voluntary, acute-care teaching facility located in Brooklyn's Park Slope, houses 651 inpatient beds (including bassinets) and provides services to over 32,000 inpatients each year. An additional 350,000 outpatient visits and services are logged annually. The Hospital offers Institutes in the following areas: Advanced and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Asthma and Lung Disease; Cancer Care; Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery; Digestive and Liver Disorders; Diabetes and Other Endocrine Disorders; Vascular Medicine and Surgery; Family Care; Neurosciences; Orthopedic Medicine and Surgery and Women's Health. The Hospital, founded in 1881, has undergone extensive renovation and modernization over the years. New York Methodist is affiliated with the Weill College of Medicine at Cornell University and it is a member of NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System.
