Usage of spacers in respiratory laboratories and the delivered salbutamol dose of spacers available in Australia and New Zealand

Abstract

The majority of respiratory laboratories had not updated re-processing policies to comply with new regulations. The delivered salbutamol dose varied significantly and this might effect the choice of preferred spacer type.

Lung Deposition of 99mTc-Radiolabeled Albuterol Delivered through a Pressurized Metered Dose Inhaler and Spacer with Facemask or Mouthpiece in Children with Asthma

“…Roller et al investigated lung deposition following use of a pMDI spacer with mouthpiece using 99m Tc-radiolabeled HFA beclomethasone dipropionate (QVAR) in children aged 5-17 years. (19) In vitro tests indicate that the development of antistatic spacers and contemporary soft well-sealing facemasks has improved aerosol delivery, (20) in comparison with older spacers and facemasks. (21) As scintigraphic imaging has been previously used to assess lung deposition of inhaled bronchodilators and corticosteroids in children, (19,22) it is of interest to use this technique to evaluate contemporary spacer-facemask combinations in terms of lung deposition.…”

Bronchodilator responsiveness in children with asthma is not influenced by spacer device selection

“…One explanation may be that the proportion of salbutamol aerosol dose able to be inhaled (<4.7 μm in diameter) between these two spacers was comparable (29.5 ± 5.1 μg and 31.3 ± 3.0 μg for Space pod and Lite aire spacers, respectively) and hence the clinical effect on airway responsiveness measured using spirometry was similar …”

“…At the health service level, factors such as cost and time effectiveness become relevant and spacers that minimize resource use (such as purchase or sterilization service costs) may offer health service efficiencies for respiratory laboratories . However, prior to these resource considerations, it is essential that the spacer devices being considered provide clinical equivalence with regards to clinical interpretation of outcomes.…”

Year in review 2011: Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and airway biology

“…In Respirology , Mahut and colleagues demonstrated that specific airway resistance, used to diagnose bronchodilator responsiveness in children, does not completely correlate with forced expiratory volume in 1 s measurements; hence, both measurements may be useful 19 . Hall and coworkers showed that respiratory function laboratories vary significantly in their use of spacer devices to deliver bronchodilators for testing 20 …”