Safety and efficacy of bronchial thermoplasty in refractory asthma with severe obstructive respiratory dysfunction

Abstract

Background: Bronchial thermoplasty (BT) is a recently developed non-pharmacological therapy for refractory bronchial asthma. Although increasing evidence has suggested that BT is effective for various phenotypes of severe asthma, its safety and efficacy in patients with severe irreversible impaired lung function are unclear. Objectives: To assess the efficacy and safety of BT in patients with refractory asthma, including patients with a severely impaired forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). Design: This was a single-center, retrospective, observational cohort study. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 15 patients with refractory asthma (Global Initiative for Asthma step 4 or 5), including patients with severely impaired airflow limitation (% predicted pre-bronchodilator FEV1 2 years) of BT were identified in G1 and G2 ( n = 2, 33.3% and n = 4, 44.4%, respectively). Conclusion: BT in patients with refractory asthma and severe airflow limitation is equally safe and efficacious as that in patients with moderate airflow limitation.