Effects of Bronchial Thermoplasty on Airway Smooth Muscle and Collagen Deposition in Asthma

Rationale: The aim of bronchial thermoplasty is to improve asthma symptoms by reducing central airway smooth muscle mass. Up to now, the reduction of smooth muscle mass has been documented for only 1 group of 10 patients who had 15% or more of their pretreatment total bronchial biopsy area occupied by smooth muscle.Objectives: To evaluate the effects of bronchial thermoplasty on airway smooth muscle mass and airway collagen deposition in adult...