Bronchial drainage with aerosol medications in cystic fibrosis.

Examined in this study are the immediate effects of bronchial drainage preceded 
by the inhalation of aerosol solutions of a mucolytic agent, a 
bronchodilator, and their combination upon four measures of pulmonary function in 
20 patients with cystic fibrosis. On three separate occasions, pulmonary function 
was tested preceding and following treatments consisting of one of the 
above three aerosol solutions followed by bronchial drainage. The order of 
solutions used was random and each subject received one treatment with 
each solution. The greatest overall improvement in function was seen with 
the bronchodilator and bronchial drainage. The combination of the bronchodilator/mucolytic agents 
and bronchial drainage was the next most effective technique. The mucolytic 
agent, when used alone with bronchial drainage, decreased function. Comparison of 
the pulmonary function scores indicated a significant difference among the three 
treatments. 