Effect of salbutamol on oxygen saturation in COPD.

The effect of nebulized salbutamol on oxygen saturation in COPD was evaluated in this study. Twenty patients aged 56-75 years with stable COPD were recruited to the study. All patients received 5 mg of salbutamol nebulizer driven by oxygen at 8 L/min. The SaO2 was then measured continuously and readings were taken before and every minute after salbutamol inhalation by face mask. Following treatment, mean SaO2 was significantly lower than preinhalation values. The desaturation occurred from 3 minutes and reached the maximum desaturation at 15 minutes postinhalation. At 30 minutes, SaO2 had returned to baseline values. The findings suggest that salbutamol nebulization induced prolonged desaturation in COPD.

Is driving oxygen flow rate clinically important for nebulizer therapy in patients with COPD?

Our study suggests that the administration of bronchodilator drug via nebulizer powered by flow rate 6 L/min is more suitable in COPD patients. The oxygen flow rates should not be given more than 6 L/min. In this study, we recruited COPD patients in a stable stage, in whom the risk of hyperoxic induced hypercarbia is less than in the acute exacerbation stage. Thus, in acute exacerbation stage of the COPD patients, the rise of carbondioxide should be higher. We recommend that the COPD patients should receive bronchodilator drug via the nebulizer, especially in acute exacerbation stage, with oxygen flow rate not more than 6 L/min. The medical personnel must closely observe the clinical signs of the patients to prevent the hazard of carbondioxide retention.