title: Delivery efficiency of metered dose aerosols given via endotracheal tubes.
abstract: The authors studied the efficiency of delivery of the inhaled bronchodilator metaproterenol when delivered via an endotracheal tube (ETT) using a metered dose inhaler (MDI). They found that the percentage of drug exiting the ETT varied with tube size, ranging from 3.0 +/- 1.9 for a 6.0 mm ETT to 6.5 +/- 4.4 for a 9.0 mm ETT (mean +/- SEM, P less than 0.05). The efficiency of delivery was also affected by whether the MDI was activated before or after initiation of gas flow through the ETT, with activation into a flowing stream significantly more efficient. The authors conclude that an MDI can deliver a dose of drug to the trachea, but delivery efficiency is lower than reported for MDI delivery in spontaneously breathing patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Respiratory Therapy, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington School of Medicine 98104.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Crogan
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Bishop
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation / Q000295:instrumentation; D000336:Aerosols; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004526:Efficiency; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D009921:Metaproterenol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012138:Respiratory Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D009921:Metaproterenol