Bronchial Thermoplasty reduces asthma attacks
At one-year (compared to sham), patients with severe asthma who were treated with BT experienced:
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Fewer asthma attacks
32%decrease in severe asthma attacks -
Fewer ER visits
84%reduction in emergency room visits for respiratory-related symptoms -
Fewer absences
66%fewer days lost from work, school and daily activities due to asthma.
BT in subjects with severe asthma improves asthma-specific quality of life with a reduction in severe exacerbations and healthcare use in the posttreatment period.
Reductions in asthma attacks and ER visits were shown to extend through a 5-year follow-up period.
Patients on maximum tolerated doses of combined ICS and LABA such as Advair™, Dulera™ and Symbicort™, and patients who experience one or more of the following:
- Patients who take oral steroids for acute exacerbations more than twice a year
- Patients who are Anti-IgE therapy candidates or non-responders
- Patients who take oral steroids as daily maintenance medication
American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) issued a statement recommending that all public and private insurers provide coverage and payment for Bronchial Thermoplasty for those adult patients with severe persistent, poorly-controlled asthma who continue to experience asthma exacerbations, emergency department visits and hospitalizations despite maximal medical treatment.
As with any procedure, there are risks, and individual results may vary. The most common side effect of BT is temporary worsening of respiratory-related symptoms. This side effect typically occurs within a day of the procedure and resolves within 7 days on average with standard care. There is a small (3.4% per procedure) risk of these symptoms requiring hospitalization.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el_IbQPhH48#t=21
3 Responses
Bronchial Thermoplasty has changed the lives of severe asthmatic patients giving them a quality of life that many of them have never known. I personally know patients that Dr. Nadrous has treated, and have had incredible outcomes! Check out btforasthma.com to learn more about this life changing procedure.
Looks like great alternative for patients with Asthma who are on lots of medications.
This sounds like a great alternative for Asthma patients that are on a great deal of medications.