Bronchial Thermoplasty in the Treatment of Asthma

Despite the numerous guidelines and treatments available for asthma, the disease remains poorly controlled in some patients, who remain symptomatic, are a considerable burden on the health system, and account for most of the hospitalizations due to asthma. Bronchial thermoplasty is a novel experimental therapeutic option that consists of delivering radiofrequency-generated heat to the airways via a catheter inserted in the bronchial tree through a flexible bronchoscope to reduce smooth muscle quantity and contractility. The first investigations were conducted using an animal model. Subsequently, 2 randomized clinical trials designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of thermoplasty in patients with moderate to severe asthma with a 1-year follow-up period showed the procedure to be safe, with mostly transient adverse affects and several clinical benefits. Although results from ongoing clinical trials are still awaited, thermoplasty may become an innovative therapeutic approach to asthma. (C) 2008 SEPAR. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L. All rights reserved.