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More Options, Better Outcomes.

For COPD Patients and Providers

The Temple Lung Center is the nation’s most respected research and treatment center for COPD, with a decades-long history of pioneering innovative treatments and offering new options to patients. Temple’s team of physician-researchers employs a multidisciplinary approach to patient-centered care, and regularly takes on cases from referring providers to treat and co-manage common to complex cases.

Breakthrough Research Advancing the Standard of Care

Temple is home to one of the nation’s most robust research programs for COPD and frequently pioneers new procedures that advance the standard of care for new patients.

Recently, the Temple Lung Center achieved a remarkable milestone: becoming the first site in the United States to treat a patient in the pivotal BREATHE-3 clinical trial evaluating the Apreo Health BREATHE Airway Scaffold*, a novel, implantable device engineered to relieve lung hyperinflation and improve outcomes for individuals with severe emphysema

Led by Gerard J. Criner, MD, FACP, FACCP, Director of the Temple Lung Center, this groundbreaking procedure further underscores Temple’s commitment to advancing the standard of care for COPD and emphysema.

“The BREATHE-3 trial represents more than a procedural milestone; it’s a bold step toward offering a new non-surgical option for patients previously ineligible for treatments like endobronchial valves,” Dr. Criner emphasized

This latest achievement builds on Temple’s legacy of “firsts.” In 2024, Temple performed the first U.S.-based procedure for the CONVERT-II clinical trial evaluating the AeriSeal System, a synthetic polymer foam to seal fissural defects and collateral ventilation, converting CV+ patients into candidates for bronchoscopic lung volume reduction.

In 2018, Temple was the first U.S. hospital to perform minimally invasive bronchoscopic lung volume reduction using the Zephyr® Endobronchial Valve, and in 2019, it evaluated outcomes with the Spiration® Valve System.

Patients referred to the Temple Lung Center’s COPD program find more solutions for the treatment and management of their condition than at any other institution in the nation.

For a consultation for patients with COPD, visit our online referral form or call 800-836-7536.

A Comprehensive Approach to Advanced COPD

The comprehensive COPD Program at the Temple Lung Center offers a streamlined approach to care for patients with mild to advanced COPD, from breakthrough interventions to advanced options for complex cases, including:

Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction (BLVR): Temple is internationally recognized for its leadership in bronchoscopic treatments for emphysema. Dr. Gerard Criner, Director of the Temple Lung Center, has played a central role in every major BLVR study over the past 25 years, and was the first in the U.S. to perform both FDA-approved valve procedures. As a national training site, pulmonologists from across the country come to Temple to learn these procedures, including patient selection criteria, and post-procedure management protocols

LVRS: one of the nation’s first Joint-Commission-certified centers for Lung Volume Reduction Surgery (LVRS), the Temple Lung Center is home to one of the most experienced LVRS programs. Our team of experts has treated hundreds of patients with this surgical option and participated in the landmark National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT), which proved LVRS can significantly help properly selected patients. Based on our strong outcomes, Temple is now one of the few Medicare-qualified centers for LVRS.
Lung Transplant: Temple continues to be a national leader in volume and outcomes, and frequently treats some of the most complex cases due to the surgical team’s experience in managing patients with comorbid conditions, high BMI, or advanced age, offering more patients second chances with Temple’s expanded eligibility criteria.

We offer patients every option available to manage their COPD, and work closely with referring providers to co-manage treatment close to home and ensure the strongest outcomes possible.

How to Refer

For a consultation for patients with COPD, visit our online referral form or call 888-575-3745 or contact:

T.K. Broderic
Director, External Accounts
267‑608‑8433
[email protected]

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