Most frequently asked questions

No. The published prospective study was conducted in the chronic bronchitis-predominant COPD phenotype, GOLD stage II–IV, with mMRC ≥ 2. In emphysema-predominant COPD, other bronchoscopic methods (one-way valves, coils) are considered. Eligibility is determined only by a pulmonologist's examination.

Chronic bronchitis is defined as cough and sputum production for at least three months a year, in two consecutive years. If cough and sputum dominate your symptoms, you may be closer to this phenotype; if breathlessness and lung hyperinflation dominate, it may be emphysema-predominant. Your physician makes the distinction using CT and pulmonary function tests.

Using oxygen is not in itself a barrier, but your respiratory and cardiac reserve must be adequate for bronchoscopy and sedation. This assessment is made by the anaesthesia and pulmonology teams with pre-procedure tests. We do not make that decision.

The procedure is performed under sedation, endoscopically through the mouth, with no surgical incision; patients are not expected to feel pain during it. Afterwards you may have throat soreness or a mild cough.

The bronchoscopic procedure takes about 30–45 minutes. You remain under observation for a while afterwards; patients usually return to daily life quickly. The exact duration depends on the hospital and your clinical condition.

In the published prospective study, each patient received 3 intervention sessions. Your physician decides how many sessions you need. We advise against planning your schedule or budget on the assumption of a single session.

In the published 12-month data, breathlessness (mMRC, p<0.001), the number of moderate/severe exacerbations (p=0.022) and quality of life (SGRQ, all subscores p<0.01) improved significantly. No significant change was found in lung function (FEV1, p=0.291) or 6-minute walk distance (p=0.420).

No. This method does not cure COPD and does not reverse permanent lung damage. Its aim is to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. In COPD, the only intervention shown to slow disease progression is stopping smoking; medication and pulmonary rehabilitation remain the mainstay of treatment.

Criticisms exist and some of them are valid. The published study is a single-arm pre–post study; there is no control group and, in the study's own words, this precludes attributing the observed improvements solely to this therapy. There is also inconsistency between publications: a larger series of 188 patients reported FEV1 gains while the prospective study found no significant change. We address the criticisms point by point on a separate page.

Because the amount depends on the patient's clinical condition, the number of sessions required and the hospital where the procedure is performed; publishing a single figure would be misleading. We explain the factors that determine the cost openly and share the exact figure by phone after the free preliminary assessment.

The preliminary assessment is done remotely. If you are found suitable, the hospital and date are planned; we coordinate flights, transfers and accommodation with you. For follow-up we stay in contact with your own physician. If you do not use WhatsApp, we can proceed by form and email.

No. CLINOMED is a medical device solution partner and coordinates treatment; the procedure is performed at partner hospitals by their pulmonologists. Diagnosis and treatment decisions belong to the physician.