Surgery Decreases Asthma Symptoms

A new surgical procedure that reduces the amount of a person’s airway smooth muscle has the potential to decrease asthma symptoms, a Canadian study found.

Researchers in Canada conducted a randomized, multi-center study to examine the effect of bronchial thermoplasty on patients with moderate-to-severe, persistent asthma.

A total of 108 subjects were enrolled and received standard medical management and bronchial thermoplasty. Subjects were evaluated at weeks 12, 26 and 52.

Compared with a control group, patients in the bronchial thermoplasty group showed an average 50 percent reduction in mild exacerbation rates after one year. Also, patients in this group who were taking inhaled corticosteroids showed significant improvement in their asthma status, according to the researchers.

The findings are being presented at the 72nd Annual International Scientific Assembly of the American College of Chest Physicians in Salt Lake City.