Bronchodilator aerosol delivery in mechanical ventilation

Aerosolized medications are commonly used in mechanically ventilated patien ts. A number of potential factors influence the deposition of aerosolized d rugs in the ventilated patient. In this article the mechanisms of aerosol p roduction and delivery techniques to patients requiring mechanical ventilat ion are reviewed. Factors that can affect aerosol deposition in these patie nts are also examined. This review also analyzes the available data for cli nical efficacy of bronchodilators in the mechanically ventilated patient po pulation. Lastly, the authors review potential complications of bronchodila tor therapy and provide recommendations for the administration of bronchodi lators to patients requiring mechanical ventilation. Although the principle s of aerosol delivery are similar for adult and pediatric patients, this ar ticle will focus on studies performed on adult patients or with adult model s of mechanical ventilation.