Freehold Man Breathes Easier After Lung Valve Procedure
November 20, 2024
Nick Pattakos, 61, was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) a decade ago. His lung capacity gradually declined, and by October 2023, he needed oxygen whenever he left home.
Nick’s wife, Jennifer, a nurse, heard about a COPD treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2018. She wanted Nick to delay considering this lung valve treatment until years of data confirmed its effectiveness.
In late 2023, Nick asked his pulmonologist, Adrian Pristas, M.D., about the Zephyr valve. Nick was an excellent candidate, so Dr. Pristas referred him to Killol Patel, M.D.
Dr. Patel, an interventional pulmonologist, performs Zephyr valve procedures at JFK University Medical Center in Edison. He sees patients for evaluation for the procedure at his Edison and Fort Lee offices. He has performed more Zephyr valve procedures than anyone else in New Jersey. The procedure is also available at Hackensack University Medical Center.
How Do Zephyr Valves Work?
In certain patients with very severe COPD or emphysema, some areas of the lung are more damaged than others. The damage causes air to be trapped inside their chest, preventing new air from coming in. This leads to shortness of breath and chest tightness. Damaged areas of the lung compress the healthier areas of the lung, preventing air from going there.
Zephyr valves help trapped air escape from damaged lung tissue. Valves are placed within affected airways in one lung utilizing minimally invasive procedures. The one-way valves release trapped air from the lung while keeping inhaled air out. They allow the damaged tissue beyond each airway to deflate so healthier areas of the lung can re-expand. This helps COPD patients use healthy areas of their lungs to breathe more deeply.
Nick and Jennifer visited Dr. Patel’s office in December 2023 to discuss Zephyr valves. While waiting, they saw Dr. Patel sprint out of the office. His nurse said his patient was having a medical emergency across the street at JFK.
“My wife said, ‘That’s the kind of doctor you want,’” Nick says. “He drops everything and runs to the hospital to care for his patients.”
Nick had his Zephyr valve procedures in April and May. The night before Nick’s second scheduled procedure, he had an anaphylactic reaction to a medication. Jennifer called 911, then Dr. Patel, who answered the phone on a Sunday night.
Dr. Patel walked Jennifer through the 911 call and Nick’s transport to the hospital. He stayed on the phone to consult with the emergency room physicians.
“In all my years being a nurse, I’ve never had a doctor do that,” Jennifer says.
The emergency department physicians wanted to intubate, which frightened Nick. He’d heard that COPD patients who are intubated never get off their ventilators.
From Jennifer’s phone, Dr. Patel told Nick that intubation was necessary and would be temporary.
“He said, ‘It’s your airway, not your lungs,” Nick recalls. “I trusted him. He promised to get me off the ventilator, and he did.”
After Nick recovered, Dr. Patel placed the final Zephyr valves in his lung. Dr. Patel was as devoted as Nick anticipated when he ran to help his patient before their first appointment.
“He came to my bedside at least three times a day,” Nick says. “Not just, ‘How you doing?’ He spent time with me and went for walks with me to check my recovery.”
When Dr. Patel was busy, his physician assistant, Ariana Raynor, checked on Nick.
“There was a constant presence from his office,” Nick says. “That gave me a lot of confidence and made me feel comfortable.”
Improving His Lung Function
Nick’s Zephyr valves are working well, enabling his lungs to function more effectively. Nick goes to pulmonary rehab, where he’s exercising and strengthening his lung function.
“I’m only using a modest amount of oxygen at pulmonary rehab,” Nick says. “I can inhale better and take deeper breaths, and if I lose my breath, I recover quicker.”
Nick felt well enough to attend his 18-year-old son’s high school graduation in June. He’s also spending more quality time with his adult son and daughter.
The Zephyr valve procedures have significantly improved Nick’s quality of life. After a recent visit to Atlantic City, Nick realized how much progress he’s made.
“Although we had the oxygen machine with us, I didn’t use it at all,” Nick says. “It was a great feeling.”
Next Steps & Resources
- Meet our source: Killol Patel, M.D.
- To make an appointment with a pulmonologist near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
- Learn more about pulmonology at Hackensack Meridian Health.
The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.
