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Review
. 2018 Apr 4:2018:5076259.
doi: 10.1155/2018/5076259. eCollection 2018.

Optimizing the Delivery of Inhaled Medication for Respiratory Patients: The Role of Valved Holding Chambers

R Andrew McIvor  1 , Hollie M Devlin  2 , Alan Kaplan  3   4   5
Affiliations
Review

Optimizing the Delivery of Inhaled Medication for Respiratory Patients: The Role of Valved Holding Chambers

R Andrew McIvor et al. Can Respir J. .

Abstract

Valved holding chambers (VHCs) have been used with pressurized metered-dose inhalers since the early 1980s. They have been shown to increase fine particle delivery to the lungs, decrease oropharyngeal deposition, and reduce side effects such as throat irritation, dysphonia, and oral candidiasis that are common with use of pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) alone. VHCs act as aerosol reservoirs, allowing the user to actuate the pMDI device and then inhale the medication in a two-step process that helps users overcome challenges in coordinating pMDI actuation with inhalation. The design of VHC devices can have an impact on performance. Features such as antistatic properties, effective face-to-facemask seal feedback whistles indicating correct inhalation speed, and inhalation indicators all help improve function and performance, and have been demonstrated to improve asthma control, reduce the rate of exacerbations, and improve quality of life. Not all VHCs are the same, and they are not interchangeable. Each pairing of a pMDI device plus VHC should be considered as a unique delivery system.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Valved holding chamber featuring an inhalation indicator.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Lung deposition of inhaled medication is improved with perfect pMDI technique and with valved holding chamber. (a) Inhaler alone with perfect technique. (b) Inhaler alone with poor technique. (c) Inhaler with valved holding chamber.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

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