Emphysema Research Center
About Us
The Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Emphysema Research Center is focused on the investigation of fundamental biologic concepts in advanced chronic obstructive lung disease, particularly emphysema. The program utilizes advanced tools in molecular, biochemical, physiologic, and radiographic assessment for research investigations. The COPD and Emphysema Research Center (ERC) has been a national leader in the field of lung reduction surgery, pulmonary rehabilitation, and transtracheal oxygen therapy.
The Center maintains an active registry for patient participation in clinical research trials of novel treatments for patients with advanced COPD.
The Center relies on successful basic science collaborations with the departments of clinical pharmacology and biochemistry, and with other local and international collaborators.
The Emphysema program is a member of the NHLBI Lung Tissue Research Consortium and the COPD Clinical Research Network.
Program Overview
Center for COPD and Emphysema
The COPD and Emphysema Research Center, directed by Frank Sciurba, MD, emphasizes comprehensive care for patients with COPD and emphysema. This care is based on a thorough evaluation that generates a detailed problem list that can organize recommendations and integrate pulmonary careinto existing medical care for other conditions.. A comprehensive approach to care requires an additional investment of time by the physician both during and after the office visit to ensure that detailed data from the patient's visit, as well as a methodical assessment of cardiopulmonary anatomy and physiology are incorporated into the assessment. Further recommendations are individualized on the basis of, as well as on discussion of patient preference regarding the available options.
Advanced Therapies
Advanced therapies in COPD and emphysema require access to specialty teams with specific expertise. These include diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension, bronchoscopic, and surgical strategies for lung volume reduction, initiation of portable non-invasive open ventilation, and transplantation. Our program provides seamless access to the full range of advanced therapies.
- Pulmonary Hypertension
- Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction
- Surgical Lung Volume Reduction
- Portable non-invasive open ventilation (NIOV)
- Lung Transplantation
- Specialized Hospital Unit
- Outcomes-Based Treatment
