CANADIAN PEDIATRIC ASTHMA CONSENSUS GUIDELINES
The Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) recently published updated Canadian Pediatric Asthma Consensus Guidelines. The guidelines provide recommendations for the prevention, assessment and management of asthma in children, and recommends that the pMDI (pressurized metered dose inhaler) and holding chamber be used in place of the wet nebulizer in children of all ages, in both acute and chronic care settings.
The guidelines stated that use of a holding chamber with pMDIs is strongly recommended for children.1 The AeroChamber MAX* valved holding chamber (VHC) is an excellent compliment to pMDI therapy.
The AeroChamber MAX* VHC includes a number of innovative features, such as the Flow-Vu* Inspiratory Flow Indicator, which provides unmatched caregiver reassurance by effectively eliminating the guess work associated with pMDI aerosol drug delivery.
Valved holding chamber properties were addressed in the guidelines, specifically the fact that electrostatically charged chambers can cause dose variation. The AeroChamber MAX* VHC is the first transparent anti-static valved holding chamber, providing consistent aerosol drug delivery across a wide range of drug formulations.
AeroChamber MAX* VHC offers a family of devices, designed for each specific patient type, including infant and child formats, with child-friendly features such as the ComfortSeal* Mask, "EZ Flow" exhalation valve and AeroBear* instructional graphics.
Demonstrating consistent aerosol drug delivery across a wide range of formulations and with support in over 300 studies, the AeroChamber* brand of VHC is the #1 Valved Holding Chamber recommended by Canadian pharmacists.2
Finally, the guidelines highlight the fact that education is an essential component of asthma therapy suggesting that all patients monitor their asthma using symptoms or peak expiratory flow (PEF) measurement. A peak flow meter (PFM) such as TruZone* PFM may detect a decrease in peak flow even before the symptoms of the disease get worse. This early warning system provides an opportunity to address the problem before it becomes severe.
AeroChamber MAX* VHC and TruZone* PFM are an effective combination for better asthma management.
1Becker
et al. Summary of recommendations from the Canadian Asthma Consensus
Guidelines, 2003. CMAJ, Sept 13, 2005; 173 (6)
2 Pharmacy Post Annual Pharmacy Survey, April, 2005
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© Trudell Medical International 2005. All rights reserved. MD-307A-1005