title: Is driving oxygen flow rate clinically important for nebulizer therapy in patients with COPD?
abstract: Our study suggests that the administration of bronchodilator drug via nebulizer powered by flow rate 6 L/min is more suitable in COPD patients. The oxygen flow rates should not be given more than 6 L/min. In this study, we recruited COPD patients in a stable stage, in whom the risk of hyperoxic induced hypercarbia is less than in the acute exacerbation stage. Thus, in acute exacerbation stage of the COPD patients, the rise of carbondioxide should be higher. We recommend that the COPD patients should receive bronchodilator drug via the nebulizer, especially in acute exacerbation stage, with oxygen flow rate not more than 6 L/min. The medical personnel must closely observe the clinical signs of the patients to prevent the hazard of carbondioxide retention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Charoenratanakul
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Borrirukwanit
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lekuthai
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Satayawiwat
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Dejsomritrutai
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D013990:Tidal Volume / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000420:Albuterol