PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Olga Ruzickova Kirchnerova
AU  - Milan Terl
AU  - Jiri Votruba
TI  - Bronchial thermoplasty as an option for severe asthma patients - our experiences and retrospective evaluation
DP  - 2014 Sep 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - P3735
VI  - 44
IP  - Suppl 58
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/P3735.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/P3735.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2014 Sep 01; 44
AB  - Background: Current treatment of severe asthma patients include conventional therapy (IKS, LABA, anti-LT, oral corticosteroids, anti-IgE) or less conventional but effective bronchial thermoplasty that delivers radio-frequency energy to the airway wall, using a specialized catheter at bronchoscopy, reducing muscle mass in the small and medium-sized airways.Methods : Retrospective evaluation of 6 patients treated with bronchial thermoplasty (BT) , focusing on fenotype of asthma, bronchodilatator reversibility testing (BRT), lung function tests, questioneres (ACT, AQLQ) and clinical course assessment before and after (3months, 6 months and 1 year) bronchial thermoplasty. We also recorded the amount of radio-frequency pulses used.Results: We found significant improvement in FVC and FEV1, ACQ , AQLQ and clinical course assessment after 3M, 6M and 1Y after BT. The effect was better marked in patients treated with higher amount of radiofrequence pulses and with higher BRT score in the beginning. The BRT score decreased after BT as we expected. No significant difference was found in FENO and in different asthma fenotypes (small tested group).Conclusion: Treatment with bronchial thermoplasty creates a steroid-sparing effect and results in improvement and stability of lung function, significantly lower risk of exacerbations , improve asthma control and quality of life. BRT score is a good indirect marker of small airways muscle mass, in patiens indicates better effect of the treatment. BT should be considered as prospective option in treatment of selected patients with severe asthma. Patients should be carefully evaluated and the procedure performed in specialized centre.