NON-MEDICATION TREATMENTS FOR ASTHMA

Bronchoscopic procedures:

• Bronchial thermoplasty ("Alair")-Approved in 2010 for pts with severe asthma refractory to other treatments.  Aims to eliminate the contractile ability of airway smooth muscle by applying heat to airways with dm of 3mm or greater.  Utilizes RF emitted on a bronchoscopic catheter to reduce smooth muscle bulk in airways.  Multiple treatments required.  Associated with improvements in asthma symptoms and reduction in severe exacerbations in one controlled trial (Am. J. Resp. Crit. Care Med. 181:116, 2010-AFP 6/1/2010)