Abstract
Delivery of a therapeutic dose of bronchodilator aerosol into the lungs is crucial for patient care in acute care departments. Most nebulizer test data is collected using simulated breathing with a 1:1 inhalation exhalation (I:E) ratio. We examined the effect of I:E ratio on the respirable delivered dose (RDD) from 4 nebulizers used in acute care wards, in vitro.
The fine particle fraction of aerosol output of six of each nebulizer brand (Figure 1) were tested with salbutamol sulphate (Salamol 5 mg/ 2.5 mL) using a Malvern Spraytec laser diffractor. Delivered dose was then determined for each nebulizer using simulated breathing (Vt = 500 mL, f = 15 bpm and I:E ratios of 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3) by inserting a filter between the nebulizer and the breathing simulator. Nebulizers were run at 8 L/min until sputter plus 60 s and drug on filters was quantitated by HPLC. Respirable delivered dose (RDD) = delivered dose x fine particle fraction.
Mean RDD from 4 nebulizers used in acute care across different I:E ratios (n=6).
Patient breathing pattern I:E ratio’s can vary during their treatment in acute care wards. Only one nebulizer brand delivered a mean RDD of over 400 mg of albuterol across breathing patterns with I:E ratio’s 1:1 to 1:3. Both nebulizer brand and breathing pattern I:E ratio affect the RDD of bronchodilator, which could have significance in patient treatment.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2020; 56: Suppl. 64, 2757.
This abstract was presented at the 2020 ERS International Congress, in session “Respiratory viruses in the "pre COVID-19" era”.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2020
