TY - JOUR T1 - LONGITUDINAL EVALUATION OF COMPRESSOR/NEBULIZER PERFORMANCE JF - Respiratory Care DO - 10.4187/respcare.02776 SP - respcare.02776 AU - Samah Awad AU - David K Williams AU - Ariel Berlinski Y1 - 2013/10/22 UR - http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/early/2013/10/22/respcare.02776.abstract N2 - Background: Inhaled medications are the mainstay of treatment for maintenance of lung health in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Compressor/nebulizer units are used an average of 100-120 minutes/day by patients with CF. Each compressor/nebulizer has unique flow/pressure characteristics that affect particle size distribution and drug output rate. Little data are available regarding longitudinal performance of compressor/nebulizers. We hypothesized that their use over a 24-week period under conditions similar to those of patients with CF will affect their performance. Methods: Four new units of compressor/reusable nebulizers from 3 brands (Pari Vios/Pari LC Plus, Pulmoaide 5650D/Viox and Inspiration Elite/SideStream Plus) commonly used by CF patients were tested. Compressor/nebulizers were operated 1 hour twice-daily/five days/week for 24 weeks. Compressor flow/pressure characteristics were measured every 6 weeks. Maximal flow was recorded without and with the nebulizer (MF, and MF/NEB respectively). Pressure was recorded at cero flow (MP) and at MF/NEB (P/NEB). Particle size distribution, inhaled mass (IM) and IM in respirable range (IM-RR) were evaluated at baseline and every 12 weeks. Results: Vios had significant decline in MP and P/NEB at each measurement compared to baseline (MP: 45.8 and 32.6 PSI and P/NEB: 16.7 and 14.3 PSI at week 0 and 24 respectively, P<.05) but other compressors didn’t. MF and MF/NEB were stable over time but significantly varied among brands. Vios had the greatest slope of flow/pressure relationship (Vios> Pulmoaide> Inspiration Elite). Two Vios units stopped working at weeks 11 and 24 respectively. All compressors maintained baseline IM, IM-RR and aerosol characteristics. Conclusion: Long term use of compressor/nebulizers in a regimen similar to that of patients with CF affected their performance. Pari Vios was the most affected brand with decline in MP and P/NEB and 2 units that stopped working. Measurement of MF and MF/NEB could help identify compressors that are likely to fail. ER -