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By radically changing the standard of care, Asthmatx will become the leading provider of therapeutic medical devices for patients who suffer from asthma.
FAQ
What is the AIR2 Trial?
The AIR2 Trial: The objective of this randomized, double blind, sham-controlled study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Bronchial Thermoplasty with the Alair® System in a population of subjects with severe asthma who are still symptomatic despite being managed on conventional therapy.
Brown R, Wizeman W, Danek C, et al, Effect of Bronchial Thermoplasty on Airway Distensibility, Eur Respir J 2005;26:277-282
Effect of Bronchial Thermoplasty on Airway Distensibility
R. H. Brown1, W. Wizeman2, C. Danek2 and W. Mitzner1
1 Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, and 2 Asthmatx, Mountain View, CA, USA.
Abstract
Recent studies have reported that the application of thermal energy delivered through a bronchoscope (bronchial thermoplasty) impairs the ability of airways to narrow in response to methacholine. How such altered smooth muscle affects the response of airways to lung inflation may have important clinical implications, particularly as it relates to the abnormal response of asthmatic subjects to lung inflation and deep inspiration. The aim of this study was to examine whether bronchial thermoplasty affected airway distension with lung inflation in relaxed and contracted airways.
A total of 230 airways were studied, ranging 2.5–15 mm, in six dogs. These airways were divided into two groups: an untreated (control) population and a bronchial thermoplasty-treated population.
Prior to treatment, the airway pressure-area curves in the two groups of airways were identical. In contrast, the relaxed and contracted airway pressure-area curves in treated airways were shifted upward at all points, showing increased airway area at both 3 and 5 weeks post-treatment.
In conclusion, these results show that reducing that amount of functional smooth muscle with bronchial thermoplasty leads to increased airway size in both relaxed and contracted states over a normal range of inflation pressures.
Key Words
Airway smooth muscle • airway structure • asthma • lung mechanics
CAUTION: The Alair® System is an Investigational device.
It is limited by United States law to investigational use. To be used by Qualified Investigators only.
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Last Updated: August 22, 2007
