Beth Israel in emphysema trial

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center will participate in a clinical trial that explores a minimally invasive option for those suffering with advanced widespread emphysema.

The Boston-based medical center said the "exhale airway stents for emphysema" trial focuses on a procedure called airway bypass, which is designed to create pathways in the lung for trapped air to escape and relieve emphysema symptoms, including shortness of breath.

The medical center described the program as "an international, multi-center clinical trial."

Referring to airway bypass in a statement, Armin Ernst, principal investigator of the study at Beth Israel Deaconess, said, "Ultimately, what we would like to see from the results of this procedure is not only the ability to mimic drugs but the ability to mimic the results of surgery."

Emphysema is a progressive and irreversible lung disease characterized by the destruction of lung tissue.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)