Melissa Koamp;ccedil Author

Research Article Open Access

Lung Compliance and Resistance Following Bronchial Thermoplasty in Severe Persistent Asthma: A Pilot Study and Discussion of the Physiology

Author(s):

Ahmet Baydur, Melissa Ko&ccedil, Richard Barbers and Darren May

Abstract

Rationale: Bronchial thermoplasty reduces airway smooth muscle mass, bronchoconstriction and symptoms in severe, persistent asthmatics. Despite its application only to larger airways (> 3 mm), it is not known if small airways are also affected by bronchial thermoplasty.

Objective: To determine if thermoplasty also affects the smaller airways (< 3 mm in diameter) before and after bronchial thermoplasty. Methods: Lung resistance, static and dynamic lung compliance were measured using the esophageal balloon technique before and after undergoing bronchial thermoplasty in 5 patients.

Results: All patients described improved symptoms and reduced use of short-acting bronchodilators with... view more»

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