This study had, as its aim, to test twelve nebulizers (6 jet 6 ultraso
nic) which are used in the treatment of cystic fibrosis. Devices were
connected to a respirator in order to mimic the ventilation of a child
and of an adult suffering from cystis fibrosis. Three medications: to
bramycine, colistine and amiloride were nebulised. The volume of the r
ecommended solution varied between 1.5 and 13 ml according to the manu
facturer. During a session often minutes the ultrasonic nebulizer deli
vered an inhaled volume which was significantly greater than the jet (
2.72 +/- 0.98 ml vs 1.22 +/- 0.59 ml, p < 0.0001) for the three drugs.
Regarding granulometry, the fraction of particles between 0.5 and 5 m
u m, was higher with ultrasonic than with pneumatic nebulizer for tobr
amycine (67.1 +/- 10.7 vs 55.5 +/- 11.5%, p < 0.001) and amiloride (66
.4 +/- 9.2% vs 58.1 +/- 15%, p < 0.05%). The variation of concentratio
n due to nebulisation were independent of the type of apparatus bur in
fluenced by the drug since concentration was increased for tobramycine
(+10.5 +/- 18.6%) and amiloride (+13.4 +/- 8/9%). In summary the effe
ctive fraction resulting fr om the inhalable fraction, from granulomet
ry and from changes in concentration was significantly greater for ult
rasonic than for jet nebulizer (17.3 +/- 6.7% vs 9.7 +/- 9.6%, p < 0.0
01). This study underlines the great variability of the performance of
aerosols generators and therefore the need for an accurate evaluation
of nebulizer performances in order to prescribe the best nebulizer/dr
ug association in clinical practice.