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 |
large |
small |
breath holding |
able |
unable |
coordinated breathing |
able |
unable |
aerosol particles |
small and dispersed |
large or aggregated |
Specialty: Pharmacology, clinical