title: Inhalation anti-asthma therapy with spacers: technical aspects.
abstract: Inhalation is the method of choice for delivering therapeutic agents to the lung. The advent of metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) has made inhalation easier, less expensive and more efficient. However, 20-50% of patients are unable to use MDIs correctly. The main problems are: 1) impact of aerosol particles in the mouth (responsible for side-effects); 2) poor co-ordination between firing the MDI and breathing; 3) and too fast an inspiration. Various spacer devices have been designed to overcome these problems. These are: large volume devices, which reduce the oral impact and select the respirable particles; devices equipped with a one-way valve that reduces co-ordination problems; indication of too rapid an inspiration by a high-flow mark. The introduction of these devices has resulted in an improved bronchial/oral deposition rate and a reduced incidence of side-effects. Training and education of patients is fundamental in ensuring the correct use of inhalers.
authors.affiliation: U.O. Broncopneumologia, Ospedale Busto Arsizio, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zanon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols / Q000737:chemistry; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D001239:Inhalation / Q000502:physiology; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents