RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Aerosol Delivery and Humidification With the Boussignac Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Device JF Respiratory Care FD American Association for Respiratory Care SP 1526 OP 1532 DO 10.4187/respcare.00847 VO 56 IS 10 A1 Arnaud W Thille A1 Jean-François Bertholon A1 Marie-Hélène Becquemin A1 Monique Roy A1 Aissam Lyazidi A1 François Lellouche A1 Esther Pertusini A1 Georges Boussignac A1 Bernard Maître A1 Laurent Brochard YR 2011 UL http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/56/10/1526.abstract AB BACKGROUND: A simple method for effective bronchodilator aerosol delivery while administering continuing continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) would be useful in patients with severe bronchial obstruction. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of bronchodilator aerosol delivery during CPAP generated by the Boussignac CPAP system and its optimal humidification system. METHODS: First we assessed the relationship between flow and pressure generated in the mask with the Boussignac CPAP system. Next we measured the inspired-gas humidity during CPAP, with several humidification strategies, in 9 healthy volunteers. We then measured the bronchodilator aerosol particle size during CPAP, with and without heat-and-moisture exchanger, in a bench study. Finally, in 7 patients with acute respiratory failure and airway obstruction, we measured work of breathing and gas exchange after a β2-agonist bronchodilator aerosol (terbutaline) delivered during CPAP or via standard nebulization. RESULTS: Optimal humidity was obtained only with the heat-and-moisture exchanger or heated humidifier. The heat-and-moisture exchanger had no influence on bronchodilator aerosol particle size. Work of breathing decreased similarly after bronchodilator via either standard nebulization or CPAP, but PaO2 increased significantly only after CPAP aerosol delivery. CONCLUSIONS: CPAP bronchodilator delivery decreases the work of breathing as effectively as does standard nebulization, but produces a greater oxygenation improvement in patients with airway obstruction. To optimize airway humidification, a heat-and-moisture exchanger could be used with the Boussignac CPAP system, without modifying aerosol delivery.