Bronchial Thermoplasty

Clin Chest Med. 2019 Mar;40(1):193-207. doi: 10.1016/j.ccm.2018.10.015.

Abstract

Bronchial thermoplasty is an advanced therapy for severe asthma. It is a bronchoscopic procedure in which radiofrequency energy is applied to the airway wall, resulting in decreased airway smooth muscle burden. Human trials have shown that bronchial thermoplasty may reduce asthma exacerbations and improve quality of life in patients with severe uncontrolled asthma. It has been demonstrated to be a safe procedure, with most adverse events being early and mild. More studies are required to understand the precise effects of bronchial thermoplasty on the asthmatic airway and optimal parameters to appropriately select patients for this novel procedure.

Keywords: Airway smooth muscle; Bronchial thermoplasty; Radiofrequency ablation; Severe asthma.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Asthma / surgery*
  • Bronchial Thermoplasty / methods*
  • Humans
  • Quality of Life / psychology*