aerosol

Introduction

Liquid or particular matter dispersed in air, gas or vapor. It is packaged under pressure & dispersed as a fine mist.

Pathology

• any time air is forced over moist respiratory mucosa, it will generate more virus-laden respiratory particles

Indications

Aerosols are used to deliver:

• pharmaceutical agents, especially for pulmonary conditions
• insecticides

Procedure

WHO identifies aerosol-generating procedures

• intubation
• noninvasive positive pressure ventilation
• tracheotomy, cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• bronchoscopy
• sputum induction

other (potential) aerosol-generating procedures

• nasogastric tube placement
• percutaneous gastric tube placement
• thoracentesis
• esophagogastroduodenoscopy
• colonoscopy
• cardiac catheterization
• exercise tolerance tests
• pulmonary function tests
• facial surgery

Complications

• in contrast with respiratory droplets, aerosols are minute respiratory particles small enough & light enough to remain suspended in the air for long periods, travel > 6 ft from source, & penetrate or circumnavigate surgical masks.

Management

• wear N95 respirators during aerosol-generating procedures
• use airborne infection isolation rooms with >= 12 air changes /hour & negative air flow to minimize infectious aerosols & prevent spread beyond the room

More general terms

• dispense form

More specific terms

• hemospray

Additional terms

• aerosolized agent
• respiratory tract infection