Wissam Abouzgheib, MD, Chief of Pulmonary Medicine at Cooper University Health Care, is participating in a clinical study investigating a new device treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with chronic bronchitis. Cooper is the 20th site nationally participating in the study.
COPD is a long-term, progressive, irreversible lung disease that, over time, makes it difficult to breathe. Chronic bronchitis (CB), the largest subset of COPD, is characterized by a chronic productive cough. In the United States, the CDC reported that 9 million Americans were diagnosed with CB in 2019. Additionally, 700,000 people are hospitalized due to symptoms/exacerbations of CB every year.
The SPRAY-CB study targets patients who suffer from the debilitating symptoms of CB. The study is investigating a minimally invasive device therapy, metered cryospray (MCS), which uses the RejuvenAir® System, a revolutionary cryosurgical device that applies a precise thermal dose of extremely cold, -196°C liquid nitrogen to targeted areas within the lungs through an outpatient, bronchoscopic procedure. Unlike inhalers, which provide temporary relief for shortness of breath, RejuvenAir is designed to address the over-production of mucus and chronic cough associated with CB.
“We see many COPD patients with chronic bronchitis in our practice and are continually investigating new treatments and studies that may prove beneficial. We are excited to be part of the SPRAY-CB study and anticipate our patients will see a meaningful improvement in their quality of life,” said Dr. Abouzgheib, who enrolled the first New Jersey patient in the study.