Suffering from chronic asthma and asthma attacks is frustrating. It interferes with your daily life and can limit the types of activities you participate in. Even walking around the block can feel like you’re climbing a mountain. But you’re not alone. More than 25 million people in the U.S. have asthma. And of those 25 million, approximately 5-10% suffer from persistent or breakthrough asthma.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) reports that uncontrolled asthma consumes over $18 billion of health care resources each year. In the U.S. each year, asthma attacks result in approximately 10 million outpatient visits, 2 million emergency room visits, 500,000 hospitalizations and 3,300 deaths.
Typically, medications are used to give a temporary reduction of persistent or breakthrough asthma symptoms. Some patients take a pill daily, along with carrying an inhaler and other emergency medications.
At Reynolds Memorial Hospital, we understand that frustrations and limitations of living with persistent or breakthrough asthma. That’s why we’re proud to offer a new state-of-the-art medical procedure to provide persistent or breakthrough asthma patients with a safe, long-term and proven treatment option to help reduce asthma attacks.
Meet Bronchial Thermoplasty Delivered by the Alair™ System
Bronchial Thermoplasty safely reduces asthma attacks with effective and lasting results.
“WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital is delighted to offer this state-of-the-art procedure to chronic asthma sufferers. Our outstanding pulmonologist, Dr. Melvin Saludes, has enjoyed a long history of providing lung care to the people of the Ohio Valley for many years. This is yet another example. We are grateful for his leadership”, said Reynolds CEO David F. Hess, MD.
In a clinical study, 79 percent of patients treated with Bronchial Thermoplasty saw a significant improvement in their asthma-related quality of life. Asthma patients often avoid the environmental triggers that increase their risks of having an asthma attack. These patients stay indoors during pollen or cold weather seasons, avoid perfume and cigarette smoke, avoid exercise or any type of exertion or stress. People with persistent or breakthrough asthma can miss work, school and even avoid traveling. In addition, adults whose persistent or breakthrough asthma symptoms persist despite taking the maximum tolerated medications are at risk of suffering life-threatening asthma attacks requiring immediate treatment at an emergency room.
“I am very excited to bring Bronchial Thermoplasty to the Ohio Valley. About 18 million Americans suffer from asthma, 10% of asthmatics are considered severe, requiring multiple controller medications. For the first time, we can offer a procedure that can better control the severe patients, reduce steroid medication use, reduce exacerbations and hospitalizations” said Dr. Melvin Saludes, pulmonologist.
How Does the Procedure Work to Reduce Asthma Attacks?
Bronchial Thermoplasty is delivered by the Alair™ System in three simple outpatient sessions. Each session treats a different part of the lung to ensure the procedure is safe. During the procedure, a carefully controlled device delivers mild heat to the smooth muscle of the airways in the lungs. This reduces the amount of excessive smooth muscle. By reducing the amount of airway smooth muscle, the procedure reduces the ability of the airway walls to contract and narrow during an asthma attack.
No incision is needed to perform a successful Bronchial Thermoplasty. Doctors perform the procedure with a bronchoscope inserted through the nose or mouth.
What Will My Results Be Like?
The procedure is proven to reduce asthma attacks and emergency room visits for adult patients with persistent or breakthrough asthma. It’s important to remember that individual results may vary.
At one year (compared to a control group), patients with severe asthma had a reduction in asthma attacks and Emergency Room visits (after Bronchial Thermoplasty). This reduction extended through a five-year follow-up period.
- 32% decrease in severe asthma attacks
- 84% reduction in emergency room visits for respiratory-related symptoms
- 66% fewer days lost from work, school and daily activities due to asthma
- 79% of patients treated reported a significant improvement in their asthma-related quality of life
Is This Procedure for Me?
Bronchial Thermoplasty is for adults over 18 years old. If you take multiple asthma medications in addition to experiencing one or more of the following, you may be a candidate if you:
- Still having asthma attacks
- Adjust your lifestyle to avoid asthma triggers
- Are absent from work, school, or other daily activities because of asthma
The procedure is not right for patients who:
- Are under 18 years old
- Have a pacemaker, internal defibrillator, or other implantable electronic advice
- Are sensitive to medications required to perform a bronchoscopy, including lidocaine, atropine, and benzodiazepines
- Have had previous Bronchial Thermoplasty treatment
What’s the Next Step?
It’s our mission to help you live your best life and provide the highest quality care.
Interested in learning more about Bronchial Thermoplasty? To schedule a consultation, call 304-845-3211.