New MRI technique peers inside lungs of COPD patients after valve treatment

This study used a special type of MRI (called hyperpolarized xenon-129 MRI) to take detailed pictures of lung function in 27 COPD patients who were scheduled to receive endobronchial valves as part of their standard care. The goal was to see how the lungs work before and after valve placement, to better understand how the treatment affects breathing and lung structure. The study was terminated early, but the information gathered may help doctors learn more about COPD and how these valves help.