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Bronchial thermoplasty in the management of severe asthma : retrospective analysis of 10 cases treated at academic hospital of Liège
Frix A , Heinen V , Schleich F , Duysinx B , Paulus V , Louis R
Rev Med Liege 2019, 74(2),74-81Abstract : As treating severe forms of asthma represents a medical and economical challenge, research for new therapies in this area is extensive and expansive. Recently, bronchial thermoplasty (BT) – ie. bronchoscopic procedure delivering a thermic form of energy through radiofrequency to the bronchi, in order to interfere with the components of the smooth muscle layer – arose as a promising technique. Our study followed the path of 10 patients from CHU Liège (University Hospital), who underwent this procedure in a context of severe asthma. We compared clinical and spirometric and treatment data in patients at 0 – 6 and 12 months post-procedural intervals, in order to determine whether thermoplasty had been improving asthma. Overall, we observed a stabilization and possibly a clinical improvement while reducing the total amount of exacerbation rate, and the burden of maintenance oral corticoids.
