Peak Inspiratory Flow Rates Generated through The Novolizer^®And The Turbuhaler^®Dry Powder Inhaler Devices by Children with Stable Asthma

Abstract

We compared the peak inspiratory flows (PIF) generated through a novel dry powder inhaler device, the Novolizer (PIF-N), and the Turbuhaler (PIF-T). Forty-six pediatric patients with stable bronchial asthma were randomized in an open-label, multicenter, crossover trial. No drug was administered during the inhalation maneuvers that were spaced by 10 min. There was neither a carryover nor a sequence effect. The patients were characterized by mean age of 8.5 years, mean FEV(1) of 1.79 L, and mean PIF without any device (baseline, PIF-B) of 185 L/min. Through the devices mean PIF-N of 94 L/min and mean PIF-T of 69 L/min were achieved, calculated from the maxima of three inhalations. This resulted in p < 0.0001 for the difference. The median PIFN/PIF-T ratio was estimated as 1.39. Each child achieved a higher PIF-N than PIF-T and was able to release the feedback mechanisms of the Novolizer indicating sufficient inhalation performance. We conclude that the PIF through the Novolizer is higher than the PIF through the Turbuhaler in stable asthmatic children. The flow rates achieved through the Novolizer allow for sufficient lung deposition even in children as young as 6 years.

Development of Variable Flow Rate Isokinetic Sampling System for 0.5–15-μm Aerodynamic Diameter Particles

“…When patients inhale through DPI, the flow rate of inhaled air changes from 0 to the peak inhalation flow rate (PIF) of at least 60 L/min (Nantel and Newhouse 1999;Finlay and Gehmlich 2000;Tiddens et al 2006;von Berg et al 2007). The PIF reported by Finlay and Gehmlich (2000) reaches as high as 162 L/min.…”