Learn About Endobronchial Valves (EBV)
Endobronchial valves may be a treatment option to help you feel less short of breath if you are living with severe emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
What Is Endobronchial Valve (EBV) Treatment?
If you have been diagnosed with advanced emphysema, a type of COPD, endobronchial valve treatment, also called bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR), may be an option for you. People living with emphysema may experience shortness of breath because damaged areas of the lungs can trap air, called hyperinflation of the lung. This makes it difficult to inhale and fill the lungs with new air. Emphysema is a chronic disease, meaning it does not go away, but EBV treatment may help improve your lung function and quality of life.
EBV treatment is a minimally invasive lung volume reduction procedure that uses small, removable, one-way valves. These one-way valves help allow trapped air to leave the unhealthiest part of the lung while preventing new air from entering. As the treated area becomes smaller, healthier parts of the lung can work more efficiently, helping improve breathing. The valves are a safe, effective and approved treatment option for eligible people, supported by research-based evidence.
Learn how EBV therapy impacted the lives of Carolyn and Bryan
What to Expect During an EBV Procedure?
- Your procedure will take place in a hospital and begin with you being given medication to help you sleep and remain comfortable.
- Your healthcare provider will use a bronchoscope, a small tube with a camera attached, that will go through your nose or mouth and down to the affected airways in your lungs.
- Using the camera, your healthcare team will identify the area of the lung being treated and place several small one-way valves into the targeted, damaged area (lobe) of your lungs. Most people receive multiple valves, although the number varies from person to person.
- The procedure typically takes about 30 to 60 minutes.
- Recovery time is shorter after EBV treatment compared to open surgery, but you will need time to rest and recover. Most people stay in the hospital for at least three nights following the procedure so their healthcare team can monitor them for any complications.
- Once home, recovery varies from person to person. Many people gradually return to their usual activities over the following weeks as they heal and work with their healthcare team on rehabilitation and follow-up care.
What Are the Benefits and Risks of EBV?
The goal of endobronchial valve treatment is to help you breathe more easily and improve your quality of life. Your healthcare provider will monitor your improvements such as:
- Improved breathing and lung function.
- Increased ability to be physically active.
- Improved quality of life and ability to participate in daily activities.
- EBVs are placed during a minimally invasive procedure that does not require any surgical incisions. Your healthcare team may need to perform testing during the procedure to determine whether the valves are appropriate for you. In some cases, you may wake up from the anesthesia to learn that the valves could not be placed.
Like all medical procedures, there are risks. They include pneumothorax also called a collapsed lung, infection, bleeding, pain and in rare cases death.
Compared with more invasive treatment methods such as lung volume reduction or lung transplant surgery, EBV treatment may offer a shorter recovery time, less discomfort and shorter hospital stay.
Each person responds differently to treatment. Your results may depend on several factors, such as your overall health, the severity and location of your emphysema and how well your lungs respond.
Who Is Eligible for EBV?
Is Endobronchial Valve (EBV) Therapy an Option for Me?
EBV therapy is a minimally invasive procedure, potentially providing benefits such as improved lung function and reduced shortness of breath without the usual risks and recovery of traditional surgical treatment.
Take this quiz to help determine if you may qualify for this minimally invasive procedure to treat severe emphysema or COPD.
Have you been diagnosed by your healthcare provider with COPD or emphysema?
Please confirm diagnois.
Emphysema is a chronic lung disease, which is under the umbrella name chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Noticeable signs and symptoms of emphysema include shortness of breath, coughing with mucus, wheezing and chest tightness.
Are you experiencing frequent symptoms, such as shortness of breath, even though you are receiving optimal treatment?
Please indicate symptoms.
Some examples of optimal treatment include smoking cessation, guidelines-based pharmacological therapy (medicines), pulmonary rehabilitation, nutrition support, supplemental oxygen therapy and noninvasive ventilation.
Are you not currently smoking or are willing to quit smoking?
An individual needs to be non-smoking, or willing to quit, to receive this treatment. The Lung Association offers Freedom From Smoking to assist tobacco users who are ready to quit.
Results
- You have been diagnosed by a healthcare provider with severe COPD or emphysema.
- You are experiencing symptoms despite receiving optimal treatment for COPD.
- You are not currently smoking, or you are willing to quit smoking.
- EBVs are a treatment option for people diagnosed by a healthcare provider with severe COPD or emphysema.
- EBVs are recommended for people who are experiencing symptoms despite receiving optimal treatment for COPD.
- An individual needs to be non-smoking, or willing to quit, to receive this treatment.
You must be at least 22 years old to be eligible. There is no upper age limit.
You may be a candidate for EBV treatment if you have advanced emphysema, a type of COPD, and continue to experience significant symptoms despite receiving appropriate treatment. Before considering EBV treatment, many people have already tried treatments such as:
- Quitting smoking
- Taking prescribed emphysema medications
- Participating in pulmonary rehabilitation
- Improving nutrition and overall health
- Using supplemental oxygen therapy, if prescribed
- Using noninvasive ventilation, if recommended by their healthcare provider
Steps to Take If You Think EBV Treatment May Be Right for You
- Talk with your healthcare provider. Discuss whether EBV treatment may be an option for you. Some healthcare providers may have limited experience with this procedure, so you may benefit from seeing a pulmonologist or a specialist with experience in EBV treatment
- Get a referral to a specialist. EBV treatment is only offered by specially trained healthcare providers. Your healthcare provider can help determine whether you should be referred for further evaluation. If you are unsure where to start, call the Lung HelpLine at 1-800-LUNGUSA for assistance.
- Complete the necessary testing. Your healthcare provider will help determine if you are a good candidate for this therapy. Testing may include pulmonary function test, CT scan, arterial blood gas (ABG), a six-minute walk test, and other evaluations as needed.
- Quit smoking. You must not be smoking to receive EBV treatment. If you smoke, quitting is one of the most important steps you can take to improve your lung health. The American Lung Association’s Freedom From Smoking program can help.
- Check with your insurance provider. Many insurance plans cover EBV treatment for eligible patients. Contact your insurance provider to learn about your coverage and potential out-of-pocket costs.
Medically reviewed: October 2026
Page last updated: October 15, 2026
