The valves only work if you have emphysema; they are not done in the bronchial tubes, as far as I know. I've never heard of the valves getting clogged with mucus; not to say it can't or doesn't happen, but I've never seen anyone report that as an issue. Go to the pulmonx website and you can read about the valves and what they're made of. The success ratio is pretty good, and you can find where the procedure is actually being done in the US. You can always ask the individual sites what their success rate is. Most of the time replacements aren't an issue, but you can ask about that as well. Rather than get general information, you can ask specifics regarding your concerns from the site where you might have the procedure done if you qualified.

Not qualified to respond to this, was offered this 2 years ago, respectfully declined. What happens when the valves get clogged with mucas? What are the valves made of, and what is their failure rate and replacement proceedure?

Great response Jean, thorough.

They didn't work for me prob because my lung damage is not concentrated in one upper or lower left or right lung. The had to be taken out

Hello Jean, I was really interested in your answer re zephyr valves. I live in the UK and came across an article about them recently. When I asked my doctor about them, was told she had never heard of the procedure and would have to look it up. Seems not many people qualify for it here. Have you had them fitted yourself?