Metered-dose aerosolized bronchodilators in prehospital care: a feasibility study

The prehospital use of aerosolized bronchodilators was studied in 50 adult patients with bronchospasm. The specific beta 2-agonist, albuterol, was discharged from a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) into the Inhal-aid reservoir-delivery device. No serious adverse effects were encountered, although a substantial proportion of the patients (36%) had difficulty utilizing the device. Ability to use the system properly correlated with improvement in symptoms; inability to use the device was most clearly related to severity of clinical presentation. It is concluded that the use of aerosolized bronchodilators is feasible in prehospital care and most useful in patients with mild or moderately severe symptoms.