[Aerosol Therapy in Intensive Care Unit]

Abstract

Inhalation therapy is a cornerstone especially in pulmonary diseases or comorbidities, either in invasive or noninvasive mechanical ventilation. In pediatric patients, mainly in respiratory failure of the premature born child inhalation of surfactant is crucial in the therapy. Additional drugs given by inhalation are antibiotics, mucoactive substances and drugs that treat pulmonary hypertension. This article describes main deposition mechanisms of inhalation therapies and presents recommendations for correct performance of inhalation therapy in invasively as well as noninvasively ventilated patients in ICU. Also safety aspects for patients and medical staff during aerosol therapy in the Corona pandemic era are discussed.