Delivery Efficiency of Albuterol Pressurized Metered Dose Inhaler Through Small Size Laryngeal Mask Airways in an

Ariel Berlinski1, Jessica Fonzie2, L Denise Willis2

  • 1Dr Berlinski is affiliated with Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Little Rock, Arkansas; Pediatric Aerosol Research Laboratory, Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, Arkansas; and Respiratory Care Services, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Respiratory Care
|October 29, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Using a valved holding chamber (VHC) with a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) albuterol during exhalation and a small laryngeal mask airway (LMA) improves drug delivery efficiency in pediatric patients. An adapter device proved inefficient, leading to significant drug deposition in the breathing circuit.

Area of Science:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Pediatric Critical Care
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Intraoperative bronchospasm in pediatric patients using laryngeal mask airways (LMAs) is often managed with albuterol from a pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI).
  • Optimizing albuterol delivery via LMAs is crucial for effective management of bronchospasm in pediatric anesthesia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficiency of pMDI albuterol delivery through LMAs under various experimental conditions in a pediatric mechanical ventilation model.
  • To compare different devices, actuation timings, tidal volumes, actuation modes, and LMA sizes for optimizing aerosolized drug delivery.

Main Methods:

  • Albuterol delivery efficiency was assessed using a filter placed between the LMA and a test lung, measuring drug deposition in the circuit (elbow) and LMA.
  • Key variables investigated included device type (valved holding chamber [VHC] vs. adapter), actuation timing (inspiration vs. expiration), tidal volumes (50 mL vs. 100 mL), actuation mode (single vs. multiple), and LMA sizes (1, 1.5, 2).
  • Multiple regression analysis was employed to determine the contribution of each factor to drug delivery efficiency and circuit/LMA deposition.

Main Results:

  • Drug delivery efficiency was significantly higher with a VHC (6.3%) compared to an adapter (0%).
  • Circuit deposition was substantially lower with a VHC (2.9%) than with an adapter (25.8%).
  • Device type, actuation timing during exhalation, and smaller LMA size were significant factors influencing delivery efficiency.

Conclusions:

  • Utilizing a VHC, actuating the pMDI during exhalation, and employing a smaller LMA size enhance albuterol delivery efficiency.
  • The adapter is an ineffective device for pMDI albuterol delivery through LMAs, resulting in considerable drug deposition within the breathing circuit.