Ca se confirme MDI (Metered Dose Inhaler) MDI Beats Nebulizer in Emergency Asthma Treatment
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) May 06 - Albuterol delivered via a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) with a holding chamber appears to be more effective in emergency asthma treatment than the same agent supplied by a nebulizer, according to researchers at the University of Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Kenneth B. Newman and colleagues conducted a prospective open-label study of the two approaches at a large urban emergency department. During the first year of the study, patients were given albuterol via nebulizer as part of their standard treatment. Over the next 18 months, an MDI with a spacer was the primary method of albuterol delivery. During the MDI phase, the staff also counseled patients on self-management, gave them a peak expiratory flow (PEF) meter, an MDI with a spacer, and inhaled steroids for home use. Overall, the researchers analyzed data from 1429 patients and 2342 emergency department visits. The findings appeared in the April issue of Chest. Although there were no significant differences in hospitalization rates between the groups, the MDI group did significantly better on a number of other measures. MDI patients showed a significantly greater improvement in PEF, they spent significantly less time in the emergency department, and they were treated with a mean of 1125 mcg of albuterol compared to 6700 mcg in the nebulizer group. They also showed a greater improvement in arterial oxygen saturation. In addition, relapse rates at 14 and 21 days were significantly lower in the MDI group and were associated with counseling and provision of PEF meters, MDI equipment, and inhaled steroids. In light of these findings, the researchers conclude that "albuterol administered by MDI/spacer is an efficacious and cost-effective alternative to nebulization in adults with acute asthma." Chest 2002;121:1036-1041. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience http://launch.yahoo.com --- S.M.U Vous connaissez quelqu'un desirant devenir membre de la liste du prehospitalier? Demandez-lui d'envoyer un courriel l'adresse de la liste ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) avec, comme sujet, le mot abonnement et son nom dans le corps du message.