Pulmonary care

We provide a variety of diagnostic services and treatments to identify lung conditions and form comprehensive care plans. We use advanced technologies and procedures, such as bronchoscopy and pulmonary functions test.

A bronchoscopy is a 30- to 60-minute procedure that uses a flexible, long and thin scope with an attached light. This device lets doctors view the airways and lung passages to diagnose a condition or measure the effectiveness of treatment. Our doctors sometimes use a minimally invasive approach during bronchoscopy, where an advanced navigation system helps them to access hard-to-reach areas of the lungs. This is a crucial tool in diagnosing lung cancer and doubles as a method of retrieving lung tissue for a biopsy.

Bronchial thermoplasty (BT) is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an outpatient service to treat severe, persistent asthma. This procedure reduces the airway muscles responsible for bronchoconstriction (narrowing of the airways). BT can decrease the frequency of asthma attacks and provide long-lasting benefits for adults with severe asthma.

BT treatment requires three outpatient visits, approximately three weeks apart. Each treatment targets a different area of the lungs. Sessions are performed under moderate sedation and take less than an hour to complete.

Benefits of BT

Many patients who complete BT treatment experience health benefits, including:

• Decrease in severe asthma attacks
• Fewer asthma-related emergency room (ER) visits
• Fewer days lost from work, school and daily activities due to asthma
• General improvement in asthma-related quality of life

To undergo BT treatment, you must be:

• An adult between 18 and 65 years old
• A non-smoker for at least the past year
• A patient with severe or persistent asthma that is not well controlled by traditional medications

Pulmonary function tests determine how much air you breathe out and how long it takes to empty your lungs. These tests help doctors diagnose lung conditions, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The same test may be repeated after a breathing treatment.

Pulmonary exercise stress tests

A pulmonary stress test determines how effective your lungs, heart and muscles function during exercise. This is usually done on a treadmill or stationary bike. Before the stress test, a pulmonary function exam may be done to measure the amount of air you breathe in and out while at rest.

Pulse oximetry

Pulse oximetry is a lung test used to determine the levels of oxygen in the blood. It is a noninvasive procedure that measures how efficiently oxygen is being carried throughout the body.

Spirometry

Spirometry is a medical test that evaluates how much air your breathe in, how much air your breathe out and how quickly the inhale/exhale process is completed. This test helps identify breathing patterns that may be helpful in diagnosing conditions, such as COPD and asthma.