A Short-term Comparative Study of Aerosure for Airway Clearance in Patients With Cystic Fibrosis
A Short-term Comparative Study of Aerosure for Airway Clearance in Patients With Cystic Fibrosis
This is a double-blind randomised controlled crossover study to investigate whether high
 frequency airflow oscillation (HFAO), delivered using Aerosure, improves sputum clearance in
 patients admitted to hospital with infective exacerbations of cystic fibrosis (CF). This
 study will test the hypothesis that the wet weight of sputum expectorated is greater
 following the use of Aerosure than following the use of a sham Aerosure device.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  A diagnosis of CF (established by genotype or sweat sodium >70mmol/l or sweat chloride
 of >60 mmol/l

 -  Admitted to King's College Hospital within 48 hours of an acute infective pulmonary
 exacerbation characterised by an increase in respiratory symptoms requiring
 intravenous antibiotics

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Acute respiratory failure

 -  Haemodynamic instability (including severe right heart failure with hypotension)

 -  Current severe haemoptysis

 -  Ineffective cough

 -  Rib fractures

 -  Pregnancy

 -  Current or recent pneumothorax

 -  Epilepsy

 -  Current pulmonary embolism

 -  Oesophageal varices

 -  Recent thoracic upper gastro-intestinal tract or facial surgery

 -  Active tuberculosis

 -  Recent brain, eye, ear, ENT surgery

 -  Myocardial infarction

 -  Ascending aortic aneurysm

 -  Acute diarrhoea

 -  Pulmonary embolism

 -  Angina

 -  Severe hypertension (systolic >200 mm Hg, diastolic >120 mm Hg)

 -  Confusion/dementia

 -  Inability to give consent