2004 OPEN FORUM Abstracts
Improving aerosol delivery in a mechanically ventilated neonatal lung model
Ryan E Grueber, BS, RRT, Mark J. Hamblin, MD, Rajiv Dhand, MD, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Environmental Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
Background: Clinical application of inhaled therapy in mechanically ventilated neonates is limited by poor efficiency of current drug delivery systems, with pulmonary deposition of <2% of the nominal dose.
Methods: We compared a jet nebulizer with a neonatal adapter kit (MICRO Micromist, Hudson RCI), a metered dose inhaler (MDI; Proventil, Schering) to a vibrating aperture plate nebulizer (Aeroneb Pro, Aerogen, Mountain View, CA). Each device was connected into the inspiratory limb ~ 12 inches from the endotracheal (ET) tube (ID 3.0 mm). In two experiments, the Aeroneb Pro was used with a spacer. The MDI was given via a circuit adapter (Instrumentation Industries). We simulated neonatal ventilation with a Bear Cub ventilator (Viasys Medical) using continuous flow time-cycled, pressure limited ventilation. Delivery of a nominal dose of albuterol (2.5 mg; 5mg/ml) or two puffs (180 µg) by MDI to an absolute filter placed at the end of the ET tube was analyzed by spectrophotometry (290nm). Three tests were performed for each setup.
Results:
Comparison of mean albuterol delivery with various devices
| Device | Circuit condition | Mean albuterol delivery (µg) | % Nominal dose |
| Micromist | Dry | 12.6 | 0.5 |
| MDI | Dry | 3.0 | 1.7 |
| Aeroneb | Dry | 226 | 9.1* |
| Aeroneb with spacer | Dry | 473 | 18.9# |
| Aeroneb | Wet | 79.0 | 3.2 |
| Aeroneb with spacer | Wet | 100 | 4.0§ |
*, p<0.001 vs.
MDI and Micromist; #, p<0.001 vs. Aeroneb; §, p>0.05 vs.
Aeroneb
Conclusion:
The Aeroneb Pro
improved albuterol delivery in a model of neonatal ventilation
compared to the Micromist nebulizer or MDI. Circuit humidity reduced
drug delivery while addition of a spacer to the Aeroneb improved drug
delivery in a dry circuit. New aerosol technologies could improve
efficiency and the efficacy of inhaled therapies in mechanically
ventilated neonates.