. 2021 Feb 26;22:71. doi: 10.1186/s12931-020-01585-9

Table 2.

Estimated maximum inhaled dose for constant and variable flow devices

Patient weight (kg)	Minute ventilation (L/min)	Constant flow			Variable flow
		Bias flow (L/min)	Inhaled dose (%)		Variable flow (L/min)/CPAP level (cmH₂O)	Inhaled dose (%)
		Bias flow (L/min)	Standard ventilator	Bubble CPAP	Variable flow (L/min)/CPAP level (cmH₂O)	Inhaled dose (%)
0.7	0.3	6	5.0	–	9/5	3.3
0.7	0.3	8	3.8	3.8	11/8	2.7
1.0	0.4	6	6.7	–	9/5	4.4
1.0	0.4	8	5.0	5.0	11/8	3.6
2	0.65	6	10.8	–	9/5	7.2
2	0.65	8	8.0	8.0	11/8	5.9

Estimated maximum inhaled dose with the nebulizer in the inspiratory limb, in the ideal case of no air-leak, considering constant flow and variable flow devices. Constant flow: these values do not vary if different CPAP pressures are applied since bias flow level is independent from the pressure that is set for the patient. In the case of bubble CPAP only, a constant flow of 8 L/min is considered (most commonly used and recommended by manufacturers). Variable flow: the authors selected two common CPAP levels and the flow necessary to generate it according to what is reported by the manufacturer (Infant Flow, Vyaire Medical, Mettawa, IL)