Bronchodilation after Metered Dose of „Berodual“ Aerosol in Asthmatic Children - Effect ofa Spacer

Overview

In a group of 56 asthmatic children and adolescents (age:
8 - 19 years, mean: 12.7 years, height: 129 - 181 cm,mean: 155.4 cm, in the symptom-free period) the degree of bronchodilation was studied following 2 puffs of„Berodual“ aerosol (Boehringer, Ingl., BRD) delivered from a pressurized metered dose inhaler (MDI) by bothmodes, with a spacer (Volumatic, Glaxo) and without spacer during 2 hours. Both modes of i nhalation in the samepatients were done by a physician within a time interval of 6 - 7 days. The evaluation of the effect was focused onthe peripheral airway obstruction. Bronchodilation was assessed from the changes of functional parametersmeasured from the maximum expiratory flow-volume curve (Spirometer ZAN100, FRG). Functional parametersbefore „Berodual“ inhalation by both modes revealed mainly the peripheral airway obstruction (MEF25 andMEF50 were reduced more than 2SD from the predicted value or were close to the lower limits). Followinginhalation of Berodual aerosol delivered from MDI with a spacer as well as without a spacer the degree ofbronchodilation was the same during 2 hours observation. All studied lung function par ameters became normaland the peripheral airway obstruction disappeared after both modes of delivery of „Berodual“ aerosol.In conclusion, the aerosol delivered by both modes from MDI either with a spacer or without a spacer to ourasthmatics contained a similar spectrum and amount of particles which penetrated into the peripheral airwaysand elicited the same degree of bronchodilation. Therefore, the bronchodilating effect of aerosol given from MDIwithout a spacer by a physician (nurse) or in cooperating children is comparable with that delivered from MDIwith a spacer.

Key words:
inhalation, asthmatic children, metered dose inhalers, spacer, bronchodilation, „Berodual“