Rationale and design of the national emphysema treatment trial (NETT): A prospective randomized trial of lung volume reduction surgery

The purpose of this article is to present the design for the National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT). This trial is a collaborative effort of 17 clinical centers, a study coordinating/statistical center, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), and the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA). The study protocol and procedures were finalized in 1997-1998. Screening began in October 1997 and randomization began in January 1998.