Aerosol therapy can be effective, but certain factors may interfere. Optimizing therapy can improve outcomes.
Parameters:
(1) size of tongue relative to oral airway
(2) mouth vs nose breathing
(3) airway diameter (higher airway surface area relative to volume)
(4) respiratory rate
(5) tidal volume
(6) ability to hold breath after inspiration
(7) ability to cooperate and coordinate breathing
(8) aerosol particles
Parameter
Increased Effectiveness
Decreased Effectiveness
size of tongue
small and nonobstructing
large and obstructing
type of breathing
mouth
nasal
airway diameter
large
narrow
respiratory rate
slow
rapid
tidal volume
small
breath holding
able
unable
coordinated breathing
aerosol particles
small and dispersed
large or aggregated
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Specialty: Pharmacology, clinical
