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NETT Sends Mostly Positive Message for Controversial Lung Procedure

The mystery is over; the results of the National Emphysema Treatment Trial Research Group (NETT) have been unveiled, and it's by and large good news for device companies in interventional pulmonology. Although the outcomes are mixed and underscore the need for proper patient selection, clinicians are now hoping that clinical benefits demonstrated by NETT, a 1218-patient, five-year randomized prospective clinical trial comparing lung volume reduction surgery to medical management, will support reimbursement for the surgery.

The mystery is over; results of the National Emphysema Treatment Trial Research Group (NETT) have been unveiled and indicate that lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) is beneficial for some emphysema patients who have no alternatives. Although the study had mixed outcomes, which underscore the need for proper patient selection for the procedure, advocates are hoping that its clinical benefits will be enough to convince the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to reimburse for the surgery.

Device companies in interventional pulmonology like Spiration Inc. , Broncus Technologies Inc. , Emphasys Medical, and Closure Medical...

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