Patricia Maloney

Life Before Zephyr® Endobronchial Valves:

Before my health deteriorated, I was so sociable! The true definition of a people person. I used to work in a library, which was a great place to meet people as well as read books. I was always very active. I loved going to my keep fit classes and socialising with all the women who went along.

I was diagnosed with emphysema over five years ago, and have been on oxygen therapy for the past three and half years.

I kept getting chest infections and was becoming breathless when I was pottering around the garden or going shopping. I was looking after my husband at the time who became ill in 2012, so that was my main focus. But I knew something wasn’t right with my lungs. It turned out to be emphysema.

My husband went into a care home after a long stay in the hospital. I wanted nothing more than to see him every day. But I was so exhausted and breathless, I could only make it every other day.

Things got much worse after I lost my husband in July 2018. One night, my lung collapsed. I lay in bed panicking. How would I get help? I managed to find the strength to get downstairs to call the ambulance, and was taken to hospital.

Soon after, I found out about the Zephyr Valve treatment. Dr. Joel Dunning at the James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough asked if I was interested in a minimally invasive procedure that could help me breathe more easily. He explained how the Zephyr Valves worked and showed me what they looked like. I was keen to try the treatment as I really wanted to get back to my normal, energetic, sociable self.

Life After Zephyr Endobronchial Valves:

I had the Zephyr Valve treatment in October 2018. Dr. Sathy, as us patients call him (his full name is Dr. Sathyamurthy), carried out my treatment. I was 71 at the time.

The procedure went super well, I had four tiny valves put into my lung. It was over in no time — about 20 minutes . I was put to sleep so I didn’t feel a thing.

I felt simply smashing after the treatment! I saw a difference straight away. I barely had to use any oxygen any more. I was walking up the stairs, no problem. Showering, dressing, doing housework — all without a care in the world. I wasn’t getting breathless. And what’s more, I didn’t get any more bothersome chest infections.

Recovery from the treatment was really easy. I went to pulmonary rehab for about 6 – 8 weeks. I did lots of exercises there with other people. I loved it as it was sociable — meeting people and doing a bit of exercise is what I’ve also enjoyed.

A few years down the line from my treatment and I’m older, so I do have some other health issues. But the treatment was so good for me — life changing!

What would I say to anyone with severe emphysema who is eligible for the Zephyr Valves?

Definitely go for it! It improves your life massively.

Results from case studies are not necessarily predictive of results in other cases. Results in other cases may vary. 

Important Safety Information: The Pulmonx Zephyr®️ Endobronchial Valves are implantable bronchial valves indicated for the bronchoscopic treatment of adult patients with hyperinflation associated with severe emphysema in regions of the lung that have little to no collateral ventilation. Complications can include but are not limited to pneumothorax (tear in the lung), worsening of COPD symptoms, hemoptysis, pneumonia, and, in rare cases, death. The Zephyr Valve is contraindicated in patients who have not quit smoking. Please talk with your physician about other contraindications, warnings, precautions, and adverse events. Only a trained physician can decide whether a particular patient is an appropriate candidate for treatment with the Zephyr Valve.

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