Kyle Bramley, MD, is an interventional pulmonologist who specializes in taking care of patients who are critically ill from diseases that affect the lungs. Dr. Bramley treats conditions ranging from to emphysema to thoracic (chest) cancer. He also regularly sees patients with pleural disease and excess fluid around the lungs, a condition called pleural effusion.
“From a young age, I really enjoyed science and physiology and the way things interact,” Dr. Bramley says. “Medicine was a good way to study that and it’s a wonderful privilege to help people every day.”
The ability to engage patients in discussions about their care and actively include them in the decision-making process regarding their treatment is gratifying, Dr. Bramley says. “We spend a lot of time working with each patient to create with a customized plan for their care.”
One of the most common treatments Dr. Bramley performs is a procedure, called thoracentesis, that removes excess fluid from between the chest wall and the lungs. “We do several of these a day for patients, and, by having it be so routine, we are able to minimize the risk of complications,” Dr. Bramley says.
The ability to give patients the gift of being able to breathe more easily is a daily reward, Dr. Bramley says. “It’s really wonderful to see people have an instant change when they feel an improvement in their breathing.”
