Disease Introduction
COPD is a common, preventable, and treatable chronic airway disease, mainly characterized by persistent cough, sputum production, and shortness of breath on exertion, with progressively worsening airflow limitation. It is commonly seen in long-term smokers or those exposed to dust. The treatment goals are to alleviate symptoms, reduce acute exacerbations, and slow the decline in lung function. Methods include smoking cessation, inhaled medications, pulmonary rehabilitation, oxygen therapy, and non-invasive ventilation. Some patients with severe emphysema may choose minimally invasive interventional procedures such as bronchoscopic valve replacement or surgical lung volume reduction.
Cutting-edge high-precision diagnostic and treatment technologies
- Valve volume reduction : The 2025 version of the GOLD reporting system includes an intrabronchial one-way valve, which is recommended for strictly selected patients with severe heterogeneous emphysema and can improve lung function and exercise tolerance;
- Triple inhalation : The GOLD 2025/2026 guidelines recommend LABA plus LAMA plus ICS triple therapy as the first-line upgrade option for patients with elevated serum eosinophil counts and recurrent acute exacerbations;
- New policy for pulmonary rehabilitation : The GOLD 2026 version expands the target population for pulmonary rehabilitation to all those who experience shortness of breath after activity, decreased physical fitness, or recent acute exacerbations, no longer limited to hospitalized patients;
- Long-term NIV indications : Patients with a confirmed stable period in GOLD 2025/2026 but with persistent daytime hypercapnia, or those recently hospitalized due to respiratory failure, may be considered for long-term home non-invasive ventilation;
- Expanding the indications for intervention : Several studies from 2025 to 2026 proposed relaxing the inclusion criteria for valves, so that more patients with heterogeneous emphysema can benefit from minimally invasive intervention.
