Efficacy and Safety of Broncho Muco Cleaner Balloon Dilatation Therapy in COPD(EXERTION®)

<bold>Introduction:</bold> Broncho Muco Cleaner Balloon (BMCB) dilatation therapy is a method that aims to provide clinical and functional benefit by causing damage to the goblet cells in the bronchial system. <bold>Aims:</bold> This study investigated the safety of this method and its effect on the number of exacerbations, the change in perceived dyspnea, and exercise capacity in chronic bronchitis-predominant COPD patients. <bold>Methods:</bold> In this prospective interventional study, 35 patients with stage II-IV chronic bronchitis-predominant COPD were included, two patients could not continue the study due to COPD exacerbation within 72 hours after the procedure. The BMCB technique was performed to a total of 35 patients and the results of 14 patients who completed the study period of 12 months were evaluated as preliminary data. Dyspnea was evaluated with the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) and pulmonary functions was measured. Exercise capacity was measured with the 6-minute walking test (6MWT). <bold>Results:</bold> Between pre and post-treatment; while there was a significant difference mMRC (p<0.001) and moderate/severe exacerbation (p<0.005), there was no significant difference in FEV1 (p=0.331) and 6MWT distance (p=0.871). There was no procedure-related mortality during the study period. In one patient, bradycardia was observed during a procedure that did not disturb hemodynamics. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> According to the preliminary results of this study, BMCB treatment in chronic bronchitis-predominant COPD patients were safe and reduced the perceived severity of dyspnea and the number of moderate/severe exacerbations but did not cause significant changes in pulmonary function and exercise capacity (NCT:05868941).