Mercy Health offering new technology to help those with severe lung illnesses – WKBN.com

The Zephyr Valve was approved by the FDA in 2018

by: Keely Lovern

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Mercy Health is bringing new technology to the Valley to help people with chronic lung illnesses.

Its a new type of therapy that uses whats called the Zephyr Valve. The device was approved by the FDA in 2018.

Mercy Health says its exciting because its the first less-invasive option for patients with severe emphysema and COPD.

Until now, the closest availability for this treatment was in Erie, Pennsylvania.

I think hope is an important thing as we know were living through a current pandemic, so anything that you can offer patients who again would love to play with their grandkids or be able to go to the store without being limited is a huge benefit to how people live their daily lives, said Dr. Timothy Barreiro, a pulmonologist at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital. The ability to do that here, local, in trained hands will be a nice thing to offer them.

Dr. Barreiro says this therapy is not for everyone though. He adds that only about 30% of patients meet the necessary criteria, but they do have several other options to help patients with lung illnesses.

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Mercy Health offering new technology to help those with severe lung illnesses - WKBN.com