First report of bilateral Bronchial Rheoplasty for treating chronic bronchitis performed in a single procedure

The RheOx system delivers brief, high-voltage electrical pulses to the airway lining, promoting the regeneration of healthy tissue and reducing mucus production in COPD patients with chronic bronchitis. The procedure, called Rheoplasty, is performed under general anesthesia using a bronchoscope with a 2.8-mm working channel. Initially, we conduct Bilateral Bronchial Rheoplasty in stages, spaced approximately one month apart, to allow patients to recover and minimize risks. Recent studies have not reported any device-related Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) with Rheoplasty, but some procedure-related SAEs occurred within six months, in-cluding COPD exacerbation in 13.3% of cases and one instance of atrial fibrillation.

We present the first case of simultaneous bilateral Bronchial Rheoplasty, treating both lungs during one procedure. Contrary to expectations, this did not increase complications in our patient. Consolidating the procedure into one session may reduce risks, patient discomfort, and costs, although further research is needed to confirm these benefits.