Non-Drug Treatment for Asthma: Alair System Provides Relief for Asthma Patients

In the United States estimated 22 million people diagnosed having ongoing or chronic asthma (obstructed lung disease 2) and six million of those are children. 1 External or internal factors (Such as dust mites, tobacco smoke, furry pets, chemical irritants in the workplace, mold, strenuous physical exercise, hyperventilation and allergic reaction to medication (including aspirin and non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs 5). 4) triggers a narrowing of the airways and mucus accumulation: Breathing passage of the lungs (bronchioles) become obstructed (contract) 2. The onset of asthma attack includes chest tightness, coughing, wheezing and trouble breathing. 3 The World Health Organization estimates 255,000 people died of asthma in 2005, and significant number of deaths occurred in low and lower- middle income countries. Within the next ten years, asthma deaths anticipated to increase by ten percent, especially when under - diagnosed and under - treated. 8 Medications including long - acting beta - agonists, inhaled corticosteriods, and Leukotriene inhibitors minimize the inflammation during an asthma attack. 6 In October 2009, the Food and Drug Administration panel of respiratory device exports approved (under restrictions) the first non-drug treatment (bronchial thermoplasty) for asthma. 7

Asthmatx privately held company in Sunnyvale California (15% owned by Olympus Medical Systems, a unit of Japan's camera and precision - 9), developed Alair System or bronchial thermoplasty: Heat delivery system via catheter (through the nose or mouth 12) by small heatable wire "basket" (emitting radio frequency waves, much like a microwave oven used to cook food 7) guided by a respiratory specialists (pulmonologists), extending a bronchoscope into the airways of the lungs 9. "The basket is then expanded against the airway wall and thermal energy is delivered to damage the smooth muscle" 12 The procedure burns away lung tissue that obstructs breathing, coughing, spasms, and wheezing symptoms of asthma. 7 "The company gently refers to the process as "delivering controlled thermal energy" to the airway's smooth muscle." During the three and half hour treatment (sessions 7) patients are sedated and do not require to be hospitalized. 9 The New England Journal of Medicine reported (March 2007 10), team of doctors funded by Asthmatx evaluated bronchial thermoplasty 9: "Conclusions Bronchial thermplasty in subjects with moderate or severe asthma results in an improvement in asthma control." 10 Common side effects of the procedure limited to cough and sore throat. 12

Asthmatx's anticipates thermoplasty provide relief for approximately two million asthma patients (5 - 15 Percent 12), who have not been successfully treated by current medication, including inhalers or pills. 7 Current data collected, the procedure prevents smooth muscle from growing back or asthma free symptoms for three years. 12 IMS Health ("Is an international company that supplies the pharmaceutical industry with sales data and consulting services." 11) accounted for more than $4.8 billion of asthma medication sales in 2008. 7

Bronchial Thermoplasty (Alair System) approved for marketing in Europe, however due to logistics will be postponed for availability in multiple countries. Alair System expected to be available for use in United States by the first half of 2010. In October 2009, a panel of respiratory device exports of the Food and Drug Administration approved Alair System, provided patients are monitored for long - term side effects or track any safety issues (registered) and performed only in facilities cable to handle respiratory complications. "The FDA is not required to follow the group's advice, though it usually does." 7

References:

1.) What is Asthma? - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Asthma/Asthma_WhatIs.html

2.) Asthma - http://www.emedicinehealth.com/asthma/article_em.htm

3.) Basic Information: http://www.cdc.gov/asthma/faqs.htm

4.) Important Asthma Triggers - http://www.cdc.gov/asthma/triggers.html

5.) Asthma (cont.) Self-Care at Home - http://www.emedicinehealth.com/asthma/page7_em.htm

6.) Asthma (cont.) Medications - http://www.emedicinehealth.com/asthma/page9_em.htm

7.) FDA Panel Backs First Non-Drug Asthma Treatment - http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,570207,00.html

8.) Asthma - http://www.allcountries.org/health/asthma.html

9.) Asthma-device maker Asthmatx sells $50M stake to Olympus - http://venturebeat.com/2007/05/16/asthma-device-maker-asthmatx-sells-50m-stake-to-olympus/

10.) The NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE - http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/short/356/13/1327

11.) IMS Health - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMS_Health

12.) Asthma breakthrough may be near - http://sanjose.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2006/01/30/story2.html