Bronchodilator Aerosol

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Abstract
A simple hand-held device was altered to provide isoproterenol hydrochloride via either powered nebulization or intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB). Sixteen patients with stable chronic obstructive airway disease were studied in a random alternate sequence on two successive days. Approximately 0.8 ml of 1:400 solution of isoproterenol hydrochloride was delivered to the patient each time either method was used. Ventilatory dynamics and arterial blood gases were measured before and after each use of the device. Sequential changes in forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second were remarkably similar no matter which method was used. No conclusions could be drawn from the changes in arterial pH and gas pressures. Based on functional improvement in patients with stable chronic obstructive airway disease, the therapeutic benefit from isoproterenol administered by IPPB was not significantly different from that observed after otherwise identical treatment with a simple powered nebulizer.