Evaluation of Bronchodilation from Aerosol Beta 2 Agonists Delivered by the Inhal-Aid Device to Young Children
Abstract
Journal of Asthma, 21(4), 265-270 (1984) Evaluation of Bronchodilation from Aerosol Beta, Agonists Delivered by the Inhal-Aid Device to Young Children William Huntley, RRT Diagnostic La bora to ty Manager Drparttneiit of Respiratory Thernpy The University of louia I w City, lowa 52242 oa Miles Weinberger, M.D. * Professor of Ped in t r ics Clinirinan, Pediatric Allergy The University of Iowa Iowa City, louia 52242 ni7d Pditzoimry Diziision INTRODUCTION Inhaled sympathomimetic bronchodilators are the drugs of choice for the relief of acute symptoms of asthma. Isoproterenol has long been the prototype drug and is still commonly used for test purposes in the pulmonary function laboratory, although newer agents with greater betap specificity and longer duration of action are now more popular for therapy. These agents are most typically delivered by metered-dose inhalers which require sufficient precision in the methodology of delivery that their use in younger children is generally unsatisfactory (Figure l), and results are unreliable even among many adults who have difficulty coordinating their inspiration with the rapid ejection of the drug (1-6). A new generation of corticosteroids with potent topical effect at doses that have minimal systemic effect is also delivered by metered-dose inhalers. Supported