Effects of inhaled formoterol compared with salbutamol in ventilated preterm infants.
BACKGROUND
Short-acting beta(2)-agonists have shown beneficial effects in preterm infants, but data on long acting beta(2)-agonists are still lacking.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the effects of inhaled formoterol with salbutamol in preterm infants.


METHODS
Randomized, double-blind, crossover design of salbutamol (100 microg every 6 h) or formoterol (12 microg every 12 h) delivered by metered dose inhaler on two consecutive days to very low birth weight infants on assisted mechanical ventilation (n=12; gestational age 25.7+/-2 weeks; birth weight 720+/-254 g; postnatal age 25+/-9 days; mean+/-SD). Treatment with the second drug was administered until day 7 in eight infants. Outcome variables were minute volume MV, respiratory mechanics, heart rate HR, blood pressure, serum potassium and blood glucose levels.


RESULTS
Mean MV increased by maximal 26% (salbutamol) and by 22% (formoterol) differing from baseline values until 6 and 8 h through increased mean tidal volume (Vt) in both groups (max. 14%). Mean static compliance (Crs) increased by 26% (salbutamol) and by 32% (formoterol) until 60 min post-administration. There was no tachyphylaxis.


CONCLUSIONS
Inhaled salbutamol and formoterol equally increase MV, Vt, Crs and HR in mechanically ventilated infants with a longer lasting systemic effect of formoterol.
Dr v. Hauner's Children's Hospital and Division of Neonatology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Klinikum Grosshadern, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, D-81377 Munich, Germany. esther.fackeldey@med.uni-muenchen.de
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E
Rieger-Fackeldey
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D
Reinhardt
A
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Schulze
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000420:Albuterol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D036501:Metered Dose Inhalers; D012119:Respiration; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000628:therapy*; D013990:Tidal Volume / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D004983:Ethanolamines; D000420:Albuterol; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate