Abstract Introduction Although valved holding chambers (VHCs) have been shown to improve medication deposition, reduce side effects, and overcome coordination mistakes, they are often not carried for rescue therapy outside of the home due to their size/appearance. A new 2-in-1 VHC and protective case for the inhaler was developed in collaboration with patients to address use ‘on the go’ where timing issues may be more prevalent when people are SOB and needing to rescue. This laboratory study compared the particle size distribution and therefore potential lung delivery of an albuterol MDI when administered alone versus with this portable VHC. Methods Particle size distribution of the albuterol MDI, both with and without the VHC, was evaluated. This assessment was conducted using an Andersen Mark II cascade impactor, operating at a flow rate of 28.3 L/min (n = 5). HPLC was used to quantify the mass of salbutamol in each size fraction. Our analysis focused on the fine particle mass (FPM, 4.7 µm), the portion expected to distribute in the lungs. Results Data is presented as µg (mean±sd). FDM4.7 was 38.1±2.5 for albuterol alone and 42.6±2.6 for albuterol with the VHC. Conclusion This study showed that the new portable VHC produced similar FPM to the MDI alone if coordination was perfect. Although such perfect coordination is known to be a challenge especially when rescuing, this 2-in1 VHC will make it easier for people to carry their inhaler/VHC together compactly to rescue on the go. This abstract is funded by: Monaghan Medical
Schloss et al. (Fri,) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: