Proximate delivery of a large experimental dose from salbutamol MDI induces epithelial airway lesions in intubated rabbits.

The delivery of aerosolized drugs by metered dose inhaler (MDI) to intubated patients can be substantially improved by actuating the MDI through a narrow catheter placed inside the tracheal tube. However, the deposition of increased quantities of drug, surfactant, in particular oleic acid, and chlorofluorocarbon propellants on the lung surface could result in adverse effects not observed after oral MDI administration. To investigate this …