Bronchial thermoplasty

Adults with severe asthma can now treat their symptoms with bronchial thermoplasty — a safe, long-lasting, nondrug procedure approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Bronchial thermoplasty: What you need to know

Bronchial thermoplasty with the Alair® System is used to treat severe, persistent asthma in patients 18 years and older whose asthma is not well controlled with inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta-agonists.

• This procedure is now offered by UF Health physicians in Jacksonville. Call to schedule an appointment and learn if bronchial thermoplasty is right for you.
• The bronchoscopy-based procedure uses a small catheter to deliver controlled energy to the airways of the lungs to reduce the amount of excessive airway smooth muscle. This decreases the muscle’s ability to constrict the airways, resulting in a decreased frequency of asthma attacks.
• The benefits of bronchial thermoplasty have been shown to improve asthma-related symptoms and quality of life for asthma sufferers — including decreased asthma exacerbations, reduced emergency room visits and hospitalization for respiratory symptoms, and fewer days lost from work or school.