[Bronchial thermoplasty in the treatment of severe asthma]

To assess the effectiveness and safety of bronchial thermoplasty (BT) in the treatment of severe asthma.

The safety and effectiveness of BT were studied prospectively in 6 patients with poorly controlled severe asthma on long-term inhaled high-dose glucocorticoids and long-acting beta2-agonists in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University. Outcomes assessed after BT included asthma symptoms, frequency of acute exacerbations, pulmonary function, medication adjustment, and postoperative complications at 6 and 12 months after treatment.

The mini-AQLQ scores (6.4±0.5), the frequency of acute exacerbations [0.4(0.1-1.3) times/month], and the symptom-free days [(21.2±7.2) days/month] were significantly improved at 6 months after operation compared to those before operation [5.2±0.9, 2.0 (0.9-4.0) times/month, (14.5±3.7) days/month, respectively, P<0.05]. Data collected at the 6(th) month indicated significant improvements in the variation rate of PEF, the dose of inhaled glucocorticoids and oral glucocorticoids [(5.6±3.3)% vs. (21.1±7.8)%), (800±620) vs. (1 133±432) μg/d), 9.7 (1.3-10.0) vs. 15.0 (10-20) mg/d, P<0.05]. Outcomes mentioned above were improved as well at the 12(th) month. But the ACQ-6 scores, ACT scores, the ratio of PEF and its predicted value (%), the ratio of FVC and its predicted value (%), the ratio of FEV1 and its predicted value (%) were not changed significantly (P>0.05). The PEF values and lung function measurements remained stable throughout the study period. The most common complications were cough (24.1%), wheezing (13.8%), followed by lower respiratory infection and atelectasis during the treatment. Pneumothorax and respiratory failure occurred in 1 patient 12 h after the third procedure.

Our preliminary study demonstrated promising effect of BT in the treatment of severe asthma, although there are some complications which need further observation.