Category
Pulmonary Therapeutic
Typical Use
Deliver controlled thermal energy to reduce airway smooth muscle in severe asthma.
Description
A specialized catheter used in bronchial thermoplasty procedures to apply radiofrequency energy to medium and large airways, reducing airway smooth muscle mass and decreasing bronchoconstriction frequency in selected patients with severe, refractory asthma. The procedure involves staged bronchoscopic sessions under sedation or anesthesia, careful patient selection, and perioperative monitoring for transient respiratory worsening; long term outcomes include reduced exacerbations and improved quality of life in appropriately selected patients. Bronchial thermoplasty requires specialized training, facility resources, and informed consent regarding benefits and risks.