Boston Scientific Corporation announced that bronchial thermoplasty (BT) delivered by the Alair System has been recognised by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and  Immunology (ACAAI).

BT is an outpatient procedure proven to reduce asthma attacks in adult patients with severe asthma. This endorsement demonstrates a growing clinical acceptance among allergists for this novel, procedure-based treatment option for severe asthma.

"Allergists see a wide range of adult asthma patients – some of whom suffer from asthma that can not be controlled with available therapeutic regimens," said allergist James Sublett, MD, ACAAI president. "The scientific literature supports bronchial thermoplasty as a therapeutic consideration for some carefully chosen patients with severe, difficult-to-control asthma. In addition, ACAAI recommends that insurers provide coverage for bronchial thermoplasty for those adult patients who meet the stringent requirements."

According to the recommendation, ACAAI supports the indicated purpose that patients with severe asthma, who continue to have symptoms of the disease despite maximal medication treatment, may benefit from bronchial thermoplasty as a therapeutic option. BT delivered by the Alair System is the first safe and effective non-drug asthma treatment for adult patients with proven benefits lasting out to at least five years. As part of the recommendation, ACAAI also recommends healthcare insurers provide coverage for bronchial thermoplasty for carefully selected patients with severe asthma.

"In addition to improving outcomes, bronchial thermoplasty is a cost-effective treatment," said David Pierce, president, endoscopy, Boston Scientific. "We are pleased to receive support from ACAAI for BT as an accepted therapeutic option for patients with severe asthma whose symptoms are uncontrolled despite an escalating drug regimen."

ACAAI joins a growing list of society and advocacy groups that support bronchial thermoplasty as a treatment option, including Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST), British Thoracic Society (BTS), INTERASMA, Allergy and Asthma Network (AAN), and Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).

Bronchial thermoplasty is not meant to replace daily maintenance medications, but works with them for better management of the disease. It delivers thermal energy to the airway wall in a precisely controlled manner to reduce excessive airway smooth muscle. It is designed to decrease the ability of the airway to constrict, thereby reducing frequency and severity of asthma attacks and associated emergency room (ER) visits.