E‐cigarette or vaping product use‐associated lung injury (EVALI) features and recognition in the emergency department

Abstract Since August 2019, the pulmonary disease termed e‐cigarette or vaping product‐use associated lung injury (EVALI), has resulted in 2758 hospitalizations and 64 deaths in the United States. EVALI is considered in patients who have vaped or dabbed within 90 days of symptom onset, and have abno...

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Main Authors: Kim Aldy, Dazhe James Cao, Mary Madison Weaver, Devika Rao, Sing‐Yi Feng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2020-10-01
Series:Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/emp2.12112
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author Kim Aldy
Dazhe James Cao
Mary Madison Weaver
Devika Rao
Sing‐Yi Feng
author_facet Kim Aldy
Dazhe James Cao
Mary Madison Weaver
Devika Rao
Sing‐Yi Feng
author_sort Kim Aldy
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Since August 2019, the pulmonary disease termed e‐cigarette or vaping product‐use associated lung injury (EVALI), has resulted in 2758 hospitalizations and 64 deaths in the United States. EVALI is considered in patients who have vaped or dabbed within 90 days of symptom onset, and have abnormal lung imaging in the absence of any pulmonary infection. The majority of EVALI patients are otherwise healthy adolescents and young adults. The leading etiology of EVALI is contamination of delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinoid (THC) e‐liquids with vitamin E acetate. Although the exact pathophysiology of vitamin E acetate‐induced lung injury is unknown, vitamin E acetate may lead to pulmonary lipid accumulation and/or interfere with surfactant functioning. EVALI symptoms are vague but consist of a constellation of constitutional, pulmonary, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Patients often present multiple times to healthcare facilities as their clinical condition worsens with a considerable mortality risk. The diagnosis of EVALI hinges on obtaining history leading to the recognition of vaping/dabbing. Physicians need to be persistent, but nonjudgmental, in obtaining vaping histories, especially in THC‐prohibited states. Radiographical findings of nonspecific bilateral ground‐glass infiltrates are best detected on computed tomography. Management for EVALI requires a multidisciplinary approach focused on supportive respiratory care and ruling‐out infectious causes. Corticosteroids may be of benefit. Most patients who are hypoxic, have comorbidities, or lack appropriate follow‐up within 24–48 hours should be admitted for monitoring. Patients may benefit from substance abuse counseling and should be instructed to avoid vaping. As the outbreak continues, cases should be reported to local health departments and poison control centers.
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spelling doaj-art-491f40be668d457ebd48d12bde5613322025-08-20T02:17:46ZengElsevierJournal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open2688-11522020-10-01151090109610.1002/emp2.12112E‐cigarette or vaping product use‐associated lung injury (EVALI) features and recognition in the emergency departmentKim Aldy0Dazhe James Cao1Mary Madison Weaver2Devika Rao3Sing‐Yi Feng4Department of Emergency Medicine Division of Medical Toxicology University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas Texas USADepartment of Emergency Medicine Division of Medical Toxicology University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas Texas USADepartment of Emergency Medicine Division of Medical Toxicology University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas Texas USADepartment of Pediatrics Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas Texas USANorth Texas Poison Center Parkland Health and Hospital System Dallas Texas USAAbstract Since August 2019, the pulmonary disease termed e‐cigarette or vaping product‐use associated lung injury (EVALI), has resulted in 2758 hospitalizations and 64 deaths in the United States. EVALI is considered in patients who have vaped or dabbed within 90 days of symptom onset, and have abnormal lung imaging in the absence of any pulmonary infection. The majority of EVALI patients are otherwise healthy adolescents and young adults. The leading etiology of EVALI is contamination of delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinoid (THC) e‐liquids with vitamin E acetate. Although the exact pathophysiology of vitamin E acetate‐induced lung injury is unknown, vitamin E acetate may lead to pulmonary lipid accumulation and/or interfere with surfactant functioning. EVALI symptoms are vague but consist of a constellation of constitutional, pulmonary, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Patients often present multiple times to healthcare facilities as their clinical condition worsens with a considerable mortality risk. The diagnosis of EVALI hinges on obtaining history leading to the recognition of vaping/dabbing. Physicians need to be persistent, but nonjudgmental, in obtaining vaping histories, especially in THC‐prohibited states. Radiographical findings of nonspecific bilateral ground‐glass infiltrates are best detected on computed tomography. Management for EVALI requires a multidisciplinary approach focused on supportive respiratory care and ruling‐out infectious causes. Corticosteroids may be of benefit. Most patients who are hypoxic, have comorbidities, or lack appropriate follow‐up within 24–48 hours should be admitted for monitoring. Patients may benefit from substance abuse counseling and should be instructed to avoid vaping. As the outbreak continues, cases should be reported to local health departments and poison control centers.https://doi.org/10.1002/emp2.12112e‐cigaretteEVALIlung injurynicotinepulmonaryTHC vaping
spellingShingle Kim Aldy
Dazhe James Cao
Mary Madison Weaver
Devika Rao
Sing‐Yi Feng
E‐cigarette or vaping product use‐associated lung injury (EVALI) features and recognition in the emergency department
Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open
e‐cigarette
EVALI
lung injury
nicotine
pulmonary
THC vaping
title E‐cigarette or vaping product use‐associated lung injury (EVALI) features and recognition in the emergency department
title_full E‐cigarette or vaping product use‐associated lung injury (EVALI) features and recognition in the emergency department
title_fullStr E‐cigarette or vaping product use‐associated lung injury (EVALI) features and recognition in the emergency department
title_full_unstemmed E‐cigarette or vaping product use‐associated lung injury (EVALI) features and recognition in the emergency department
title_short E‐cigarette or vaping product use‐associated lung injury (EVALI) features and recognition in the emergency department
title_sort e cigarette or vaping product use associated lung injury evali features and recognition in the emergency department
topic e‐cigarette
EVALI
lung injury
nicotine
pulmonary
THC vaping
url https://doi.org/10.1002/emp2.12112
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AT marymadisonweaver ecigaretteorvapingproductuseassociatedlunginjuryevalifeaturesandrecognitionintheemergencydepartment
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