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The Effects Of Aerosol Drug Delivery On Airway Resistance Through Heat-Moisutre Exchangers, Matthew Thomas Hart

Respiratory Therapy Theses

Introduction: The use of heat moisture exchangers (HMEs) is becoming more popular with many institutions delivering aerosolized medications between the HME and the endotracheal tube of patients being mechanically ventilated. When HMEs become saturated resistance can increase which can cause changes that can lead to patient-ventilator dysnchrony, development of intrinsic PEEP, and weaning difficulty. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of aerosol drug delivery on resistance through heat-moisture exchangers. Method: An in-vitro model to simulate exhaled heat and humidity from a patient’s lungs was developed by connecting the test lung to a cascade humidifier that was …