Bronchodilator delivery with metered-dose inhaler during mechanical ventilation

The delivery of bronchodilators with metered-dose inhaler (MDI) in mechanic ally ventilated patients has attracted considerable interest in recent year s. This is because the use of the MDI has several advantages over the nebul izer, such as reduced cost, ease of administration, less personnel time, re liability of dosing and a lower risk of contamination. A spacer device is f undamental in order to demonstrate the efficacy of the bronchodilatory ther apy delivered by MDI. Provided that the technique of administration is appr opriate, MDIs are as effective as nebulizers, despite a significantly lower dose of bronchodilator given by the MDI.