Dr. Michael A. Jantz, an associate professor of medicine and director of interventional pulmonology, now offers adult patients a minimally invasive non-drug bronchosopic procedure for severe persistent asthma that is not well controlled with inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta-agonists.
The Alair® Bronchial Thermoplasty System (the “Alair® System”) delivers thermal energy to the airway wall in a precisely controlled manner in order to reduce excessive airway smooth muscle. This decreases the ability of the airways to constrict, thereby reducing the frequency of asthma attacks.
Bronchial thermoplasty is performed under moderate sedation or light anesthesia in three outpatient procedure visits scheduled approximately three weeks apart. Each visit treats a different area of the lungs and the patient typically goes home the same day.
Bronchial thermoplasty is expected to complement asthma maintenance medications by providing long-lasting asthma control and improving asthma-related quality of life of patients with severe asthma. In addition, bronchial thermoplasty has been demonstrated to reduce severe exacerbations (asthma attacks), emergency rooms visits for respiratory symptoms, and time lost from work, school and other daily activities due to asthma.
To make an appointment or to refer a patient, please call (352) 273-8737.
Learn more: http://www.wcjb.com/health/2012/08/new-treatment-asthma-sufferers
* Image provided courtesy of Boston Scientific Corporation