Anyone know what a "Smart Nebulizer" is? I have never heard of it and I'm trying to google but not really finding much....

Eur Respir J. 2011 Jul 7. [Epub ahead of print]

Improved treatment response to dornase alfa in cystic fibrosis patients using controlled inhalation.

Bakker EM, Volpi S, Salonini E, van der Wiel-Kooij EC, Sintnicolaas CJ, Hop WC, Assael BM, Merkus PJ, Tiddens HA.

Source

Erasmus MC - Sophia Children's Hospital Rotterdam The Netherlands.

Abstract

Better treatment of obstructed small airways is needed in CF. This study investigated whether efficient deposition of dornase alfa in the small airways improves small airway obstruction. In a multi-centre, double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial, CF patients on maintenance treatment with 2.5 mL dornase alfa once daily were switched to a smart nebulizer and randomized to small airways deposition (n=24) or large airways deposition (n=25) for 4 weeks. 

The primary outcome parameter was Forced Expiratory Flow at 75% of Forced Vital Capacity (FEF75). FEF75 increased significantly by 0.7 SD (5.2% predicted) in the large airways group and 1.2 SD (8.8% predicted) in the small airways group. Intention to treat analysis did not show a significant difference in treatment effect between groups. Per protocol analysis, excluding patients not completing the trial or with adherence <70%, showed a trend (p=0.06) in FEF75 Z-score and a significant difference (p=0.04) between groups in absolute FEF75 (L·s(-1)) favouring small airways deposition. 

Improved delivery of dornase alfa using a smart nebulizer that aids patients in correct inhalation technique resulted in significant improvement of FEF75 in children with stable CF. Adherent children showed a larger treatment response for small airways deposition.

PMID:

 

21737560

 

[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]