ABSTRACT
The administration of aerosols for patients in the ICU differs from that in ambulatory patients because most patients in ICUs need various modes of respiratory support, namely invasive mechanical ventilation, noninvasive ventilation, or high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy. Aerosol treatments are commonly delivered in-line with these respiratory support devices, and a host of factors influence aerosol delivery, including device settings, placement of aerosol generators, and humidification of the inspired gas. In this chapter, the features of respiratory support devices and the factors influencing aerosol delivery via each device are reviewed. Finally, techniques for optimizing aerosol delivery for patients requiring various modes of respiratory support in ICUs are discussed.
