Publications

This review highlights bronchoscopic lung volume reduction as a minimally invasive treatment for emphysema, with established techniques like endobronchial valves and thermal vapor ablation improving symptoms by targeting hyperinflated lung regions. However, their effectiveness is limited in patients with homogeneous disease or collateral ventilation. Emerging therapies – such as sealants, coils, and airway stents – show promise in expanding treatment options, though further research is needed to confirm their long-term outcomes and optimal use.

Tana A, Shah PL. Advanced bronchoscopy therapies for emphysema: current state and future potentials. Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2026 Mar 1;32(2):121-128. doi: 10.1097/MCP.0000000000001236. Epub 2025 Nov 19. PMID: 41606822.

Advanced bronchoscopy therapies for emphysema: current state and future potentials – PubMed

This prospective multicentre study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of shape-sensing robotic-assisted bronchoscopy combined with cone beam CT for sampling pulmonary nodules. It found high tool-in-lesion rates and strong diagnostic accuracy (92%) and sensitivity (95.5%), including for small and anatomically challenging nodules, with a low rate of serious complications.

Chan LT, Lau KKW, Orton CM, Temov K, Tana A, Baboolal I, Karir A, Agaoglu E, Garner J, Kalyal A, Lapuente M, Ttofia F, Shah PL. Tool in lesion verification of shape-sensing robotic-assisted bronchoscopy with cone beam CT in sampling peripheral pulmonary nodules. Thorax. 2025 Dec 18:thorax-2025-223631. doi: 10.1136/thorax-2025-223631. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41391887.

Tool in lesion verification of shape-sensing robotic-assisted bronchoscopy with cone beam CT in sampling peripheral pulmonary nodules – PubMed

This randomized, sham-controlled trial (AIRFLOW-3) assessed whether targeted lung denervation improves outcomes in patients with COPD compared to optimal medical therapy. While it did not reduce exacerbations (primary endpoint), it showed modest improvements in dyspnoea, with post hoc analyses suggesting potential benefit in a specific airway-predominant patient subgroup.

Shah PL, Slebos DJ, Sue R, Bhatt SP, Ghattas C, Strange C, Degano B, Valipour A, Eisenmann S, De Cardenas J, Marquette CH, Soto-Soto J, Sciurba FC, Conway F, Tonkin J, Tana A, Marchetti N, Hartman JE, Heluain V, Guibert N, Criner GJ. Randomized Sham-controlled Trial of Targeted Lung Denervation in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (AIRFLOW-3). Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2025 Dec;211(12):2318-2329. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202502-0404OC. PMID: 40920914; PMCID: PMC12700255.

Randomized Sham-controlled Trial of Targeted Lung Denervation in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (AIRFLOW-3) – PMC

This pooled first-in-human analysis evaluated a novel bronchoscopic airway scaffold designed to reduce hyperinflation in emphysema by enabling trapped air to escape. The treatment was technically feasible and showed meaningful improvements in lung function, symptoms, and quality of life, with an acceptable safety profile despite some procedure-related adverse events.

Tana A, Valipour A, Ing A, Steinfort DP, Orton CM, Klooster K, Klemm T, Williamson JP, Christie JJ, Garner JL, Koster TD. Airway scaffolds for emphysema-related hyperinflation: six-month results from the BREATHE trial. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2025 Jul;211(7):1175-84.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40387356

Latest comprehensive textbook on respiratory medicine for trainees through to experienced clinicians. Functions as quick reminder and refresher for exit examinations.

Highly commended by the BMA book awards for the internal medicine catgeory.

Multi-centre randomised controlled study of endobronchial coils in patients with emphysema and hyperinflation. Results demonstrated modest improvements in exercise capacity, and good improvements in quality of life and lung function. acceptable safety profile.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2522517

Randomised controlled study of vapor treatment in patients with upper lobe predominant emphysema and hyperinflation. Treatment delivered in a sequential regime. The results demonstarted significant improvements in lung function, quality of life and walk distances.

The Lancet Article

Randomised open label study of endobronchial valves in patients with emphysema, hyperinflation, intact fissures and absence of collateral ventilation confirmed with Chartis procedure. significant improvements in lung function, quality of life and walk distances were observed in treated patients. Main complications were pneumothorax and valve displacement.

This was a randomised double blind sham controlled study evaluating endobronchial valves in patients with emphysema, hyperinflation and intact fissure on their CT scans. The results demonstarted significant improvements in lung function and quality of life.

The Lancet article

Granuloma was a randomised controlled study of endobronchial or endoscopic ultrasound (EUS or EBUS) for sampling mediastinal lymph nodes compared to TBBX in patients with Stage I or II sarcoidosis. The results demonstrated that endosonography (EUS or EBUS) is more superior and safer to conventional transbronchial lung biopsy.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/1697962