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Gunatilaka CC, McKenzie C, Hysinger EB, Xiao Q, Higano NS, Woods JC, Bates AJ. Tracheomalacia Reduces Aerosolized Drug Delivery to the Lung. J Aerosol Med Pulm Drug Deliv 2024; 37:19-29. [PMID: 38064481 PMCID: PMC10877398 DOI: 10.1089/jamp.2023.0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Neonates with respiratory issues are frequently treated with aerosolized medications to manage lung disease or facilitate airway clearance. Dynamic tracheal collapse (tracheomalacia [TM]) is a common comorbidity in these patients, but it is unknown whether the presence of TM alters the delivery of aerosolized drugs. Objectives: To quantify the effect of neonatal TM on the delivery of aerosolized drugs. Methods: Fourteen infant subjects with respiratory abnormalities were recruited; seven with TM and seven without TM. Respiratory-gated 3D ultrashort echo time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was acquired covering the central airway and lungs. For each subject, a computational fluid dynamics simulation modeled the airflow and particle transport in the central airway based on patient-specific airway anatomy, motion, and airflow rates derived from MRI. Results: Less aerosolized drug reached the distal airways in subjects with TM than in subjects without TM: of the total drug delivered, less particle mass passed through the main bronchi in subjects with TM compared with subjects without TM (33% vs. 47%, p = 0.013). In subjects with TM, more inhaled particles were deposited on the surface of the airway (48% vs. 25%, p = 0.003). This effect becomes greater with larger particle sizes and is significant for particles with a diameter >2 μm (2-5 μm, p ≤ 0.025 and 5-15 μm, p = 0.004). Conclusions: Neonatal patients with TM receive less aerosolized drug delivered to the lungs than subjects without TM. Currently, infants with lung disease and TM may not be receiving adequate and/or expected medication. Particles >2 μm in diameter are likely to deposit on the surface of the airway due to anatomical constrictions such as reduced tracheal and glottal cross-sectional area in neonates with TM. This problem could be alleviated by delivering smaller aerosolized particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chamindu C. Gunatilaka
- Center for Pulmonary Imaging Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Erik B. Hysinger
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Qiwei Xiao
- Center for Pulmonary Imaging Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Nara S. Higano
- Center for Pulmonary Imaging Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Jason C. Woods
- Center for Pulmonary Imaging Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Alister J. Bates
- Center for Pulmonary Imaging Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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