Comparison of two methods of administering bronchodilator aerosol to asthmatic patients.

In 78 patients with chronic asthma the increase in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV-1) after the administration by intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (I.P.P.V.) of 10 mg of salbutamol was compared with that recorded after the inhalation of a conventional dose (200 mug) from a pressurized canister. The mean increase was significantly greater after I.P.P.V. administration, and the superiority of this method was greatest in patients with the lowest pretreatment FEV-1.