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Bronchial thermoplasty (BT) uses radiofrequency energy, delivered via three separate bronchoscopic procedures, to reduce smooth muscle mass in airway walls. BT modestly reduces asthma exacerbations over 5 years, at the expense of possible periprocedural complications. Now, about half of patients from three previous randomized BT studies (136 who received BT and 56 who received a sham procedure) were reevaluated to collect 10-year efficacy and safety data.
Prior to enrollment in the BT trials, patients in both groups had a roughly 50% annual exacerbation rate. Patients who received BT had exacerbation rates of 24% at year 1, 22% at year 2, and 25% at year 10. In the sham group, the exacerbation rate was 37% at year 10. Among patients who had …