Inhaled bronchodilator therapy in mechanically ventilated patients

摘要

The administration of inhaled drugs to mechanically venti- lated patients is omplicated by deposition of the aerosol par- ticles in the ventilator circuit and endotracheal tube. Thus, aerosol deposition in the lower respiratory tract of mechani- cally ventilated patients is lower than that in ambulatory pa- tients. Delivery of aerosols to mechanically ventilated patients requires attention to several variables, including the type of nebulizer used, actuation of an MDI into an in-line chamber spacer, timing of actuation, ventilator mode, tidal volume, cir- cuit humidification, and duty cycle.