How long should Atrovent be given in acute asthma?

Background: In acute asthma the optimal duration of treatment with combination beta agonist and anticholinergic nebuliser solutions is unknown; most studies have investigated single doses or treatment for up to 12 hours. To determine whether longer treatment with ipratropium bromide might aid recovery a study was undertaken in 106 patients with acute asthma.

Methods: A double blind, randomised, placebo controlled, three group study was performed with all patients receiving ipratropium for 12 hours and salbutamol for 60 hours after admission (both nebulised four hourly), systemic steroids and, if necessary, theophylline.

Inhaled micronised gentamicin powder: a new delivery system.

Forty patients undergoing routine bronchoscopy were randomised to receive inhaled micronised gentamicin powder (180 mg) or nebulised gentamicin solution (160 mg) one hour before the procedure. Similar levels of gentamicin were detected in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in the two groups (micronised powder (n = 20) 9.3 (SD 9.