Abstract
Aerosolized medications are routinely used for the treatment of critically ill patients. This paper reviews aerosol delivery devices with a focus on issues related to their performance in pulmonary critical care. Factors affecting aerosol drug delivery to mechanically ventilated adults and spontaneously breathing patients with artificial airways are reviewed. Device selection, optimum device technique, and unmet medical needs of aerosol medicine in pulmonary critical care are also discussed.
- aerosols
- nebulizers
- metered-dose inhalers
- drug delivery
- mechanical ventilation
- artificial airways
- endotracheal tube
- tracheostomy tube
- spacers
Footnotes
- Correspondence: Arzu Ari PhD RRT PT CPFT FAARC, Division of Respiratory Therapy, Georgia State University, PO Box 4019, Atlanta, GA 30302-4019. E-mail: arzuari{at}hotmail.com.
Dr Ari presented a version of this paper at the 53rd Respiratory Care Journal Conference, “Aerosol Drug Delivery in Respiratory Care,” held June 6–7, 2014, in St Petersburg, Florida.
Dr Ari has disclosed a relationship with Aerogen.
↵* James B Fink PhD RRT FAARC, James B Fink LLC, San Mateo, California, and Division of Respiratory Therapy, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, representing Aerogen.
↵† Neil R MacIntyre MD FAARC, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, representing InspiRx.
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