title: Delivery of iloprost inhalation solution with the HaloLite, Prodose, and I-neb Adaptive Aerosol Delivery systems: an in vitro study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Iloprost (Ventavis) inhalation solution is approved in doses of 2.5 microg and 5.0 microg for treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (World Health Organization group I) in patients with New York Heart Association class III or IV symptoms, delivered with 2 Adaptive Aerosol Delivery (AAD) systems: Prodose and I-neb. The HaloLite device was the first-generation AAD system used in the clinical delivery of inhaled iloprost, and I-neb is the third-generation system.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Study the in vitro performance of the HaloLite, Prodose, I-neb, in terms of mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD), fine-particle fraction (FPF, percent of aerosol droplets < 4.7 microm), and inhaled mass of iloprost.
  
  
  METHODS
  To analyze the MMAD and FPF, we collected the aerosol from each device with a cascade impactor. Because the devices are breath-actuated, airflow was regulated with flow-control valves to create inhalation and exhalation. To measure the inhaled mass of iloprost we used a breathing simulator with a filter system between the simulator and the device, and quantified the captured aerosol with iloprost-specific chromatography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With the HaloLite, Prodose, and I-neb, respectively: the MMADs were 1.4 microm, 1.7 microm, and 2.1 microm; the FPFs were 91%, 82%, and 82%. The inhaled mass with the 2.5-microg dose ranged from 2.8 microg to 2.9 microg. The inhaled mass with the 5.0-microg dose ranged from 4.8 microg to 5.2 microg.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The HaloLite, Prodose, and I-neb AAD systems have comparable MMADs, FPFs, and inhaled mass with iloprost.
authors.affiliation: CoTherix, 2000 Sierra Point Parkway, Suite 600, South San Francisco, CA 94005, USA. rvandyke@cotherix.com
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Van Dyke
authors.forename: Kurt
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nikander
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D016285:Iloprost / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers / Q000592:standards*; D010316:Particle Size; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D016285:Iloprost