Asthmatx Presents Impact of Bronchial Thermoplasty on Allergy Practices at ACAAI Annu...(s for bronchial thermoplasty when standa...),Health

In the period immediately following bronchial thermoplasty, there is an expected transient increase in the frequency and worsening of respiratory-related symptoms, which are of the type expected following bronchoscopy in patients with asthma. These events typically occur within a day of the procedure and resolve on average within seven days with standard care. In the long term, fewer bronchial thermoplasty treated patients reported respiratory adverse events and there was a significant decrease in patients reporting asthma (multiple symptoms) adverse events in the Alair-treated group compared to the sham control group.

About Bronchial Thermoplasty Delivered by the Alair System

Bronchial thermoplasty is a non-drug procedure for asthma. The treatment is performed through the working channel of a standard flexible bronchoscope that is introduced through a patient's nose or mouth and into their lungs. The tip of the small diameter Alair catheter is expanded to contact the walls of targeted airways. Controlled thermal energy is then delivered to the airway walls to reduce the presence of airway smooth muscle that narrows the airways in patients with asthma. The minimally invasive procedure, like many other flexible endoscopy procedures, is done under light anesthesia, and the patient returns home the same day.

In October 2009, the Anesthesiology and Respiratory Therapy Devices Panel of the Medical Devices Advisory Committee to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) voted to recommend that the Alair® System, a device utilized in bronchial thermoplasty for the treatment of severe persistent asthma in patients 18 years and older, be found approvable with conditions.

CAUTION: The Alair System is an Investigational Device. It is limited by United States law to investigational use. To be used by Qu
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