Project description:Implications In this commentary, we describe the evidence-based approach used to identify the primary cause of EVALI and to curb the 2019 outbreak. We also discuss future research opportunities and public health practice considerations to prevent a resurgence of EVALI.
Project description:Inhalation of aerosolized products generated by different electronic devices is called vaping. E-cigarettes or Vaping product use Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) outbreak peaked in August-September 2019 and gradually declined. EVALI remains a diagnosis of exclusion which presents as an acute lung injury in the vaping population. Vitamin E acetate and its products are implicated as one of the cytotoxic agents causing airway centered pneumonitis. Lipid laden macrophages are found in samples of BAL fluid but their role in cytopathology of the disease remains unclear. We present a 57 years old man who came to the emergency department at Monmouth Medical Center, New Jersey in fall, 2019. Reportedly he has been vaping THC about 100g every day for past three days. At initial presentation, he had fever, shortness of breath and hypoxia requiring supplemental oxygen. He was empirically treated with levofloxacin 500 mg for five days without a significant improvement in his symptoms. Non-contrast chest CT scan showed bilateral ground-glass opacities, indicative of diffuse alveolar damage. He underwent flexible bronchoscopy to rule out infective pneumonia followed by auto-immune work-up that was non-conclusive. He was given 1 mg/kg methylprednisolone with a quick taper of oral steroids leading to the resolution of symptoms. At six months follow-up, imaging showed near resolution of ground-glass opacities.
Project description:As of December 4, 2019, a total of 2,291 cases of hospitalized e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) have been reported from 50 states, the District of Columbia, and two U.S. territories (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) (1). State health departments, including the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), are working with their local health departments and with CDC, the Food and Drug Administration, and other clinical and public health partners in investigating this outbreak of EVALI. On August 7, 2019, ISDH issued an advisory regarding patients hospitalized in Wisconsin with severe acute lung injury who reported the use of e-cigarette, or vaping, products (2); health care providers were requested to notify ISDH of similar cases. On August 8, 2019, ISDH received reports of five similar cases among Indiana residents. Suspected cases EVALI reported to ISDH were investigated further only among patients who required hospitalization. Established case definitions were used to classify cases.* Medical record abstractions and patient interviews were completed using nationally standardized forms to ascertain patient characteristics, medical care received, and product-use behaviors.
Project description:The NHLBI convened a working group on October 23, 2019, to identify the most relevant and urgent research priorities and prevailing challenges in e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI). Experts across multiple disciplines discussed the complexities of the EVALI outbreak, identified research priorities, and recommended strategies to address most effectively its causal factors and improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of this disease. Many research priorities were identified, including the need to create national and international registries of patients with EVALI, to track accurately those affected and assess outcomes. The group concluded that biospecimens from subjects with EVALI are urgently needed to help define EVALI pathogenesis and that vaping has disease risks that are disparate from smoking, with the occurrence of EVALI highlighting the importance of broadening e-cigarette research beyond comparators to smoking-related diseases.
Project description:BackgroundE-cigarette or vaping has become an increasingly popular alternative to smoking tobacco. In September 2019 multiple cases of confirmed E-cigarette or vaping product use associated lung injury were published. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the pathologic mechanism of this condition.MethodsWe performed a systematic literature review in PubMed and EMBASE aiming to obtain additional clinical data on confirmed E-cigarette or vaping product use associated lung injury cases with lung biopsy results. With this information we hope to determine whether this condition is related to a histopathological pattern of acute lung injury instead of lipid deposits.ResultsSeven articles were reviewed and a total of 27 cases were included. Imaging findings predominantly showed presence of diffuse bilateral ground glass opacities. A majority of patients had complete resolution of the disease. The most common histopathological pattern was organizing pneumonia present in almost half of the patients. Other frequently occurring patterns included diffuse alveolar damage and acute fibrinous pneumonitis; lipoid pneumonia was found in one case.ConclusionThe underlying pathophysiological mechanism in E-cigarette or vaping product use associated lung injury is most likely acute lung injury related to direct inhalant-mediated parenchymal inflammation.
Project description:Since the appearance of the E-Cigarette in the early 2000s, its industry, popularity, and prevalence have risen dramatically. In the past, E-Cigarette use with the vaping of nicotine or cannabis products had been associated with a few reported cases of lung injury. However, in 2019, thousands of cases of E-Cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) were reported in the United States. Evidence linked this outbreak with vaping of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). We report two confirmed cases of EVALI and their associated clinical, radiologic, and pathologic features. This report supports the growing body of information regarding EVALI. It also discusses various substances, particularly vitamin E acetate, which has been suggested as a causative agent.
Project description:INTRODUCTION:E-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury (EVALI) has become a recent concern among public health officials. Factors that contribute to the concern include an increasing number of cases over time, the severity of the illness, and an unknown understanding of the pathophysiology and etiology of the illness. CASE SERIES:We cared for three adolescent patients with acute respiratory failure secondary to EVALI. All three patients were treated with high-dose steroids in addition to antimicrobials, which resulted in clinical improvement and resolution of their respiratory failure. Pulmonary function testing was performed on these previously healthy patients both acutely and subacutely. Additionally, we report the results from the laboratory analysis of one vaping device fluid which revealed previously unpublished components within these products. DISCUSSION:EVALI is a recent public health concern without a known etiology which can cause life-threatening lung injury in patients without prior lung pathology. We hope these cases will highlight the importance of return precautions in adolescents with vague respiratory symptoms and provide a cautionary tale to providers while they counsel patients regarding the use of these products.
Project description:ImportanceSince August 2019, more than 2700 patients have been hospitalized with e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) across the United States. This report describes the outbreak in California, a state with one of the highest case counts and with a legal adult-use (recreational) cannabis market.ObjectiveTo present clinical characteristics and vaping product exposures of patients with EVALI in California.Design, setting, and participantsCase series describing epidemiologic and laboratory data from 160 hospitalized patients with EVALI reported to the California Department of Public Health by local health departments, who received reports from treating clinicians, from August 7 through November 8, 2019.ExposuresStandardized patient interviews were conducted to assess vaping products used, frequency of use, and method of product acquisition. Vaping products provided by a subset of patients were tested for active ingredients and other substances.Main outcomes and measuresDemographic and clinical characteristics, level of care, and outcomes of hospitalization were obtained from medical record review.ResultsAmong 160 patients with EVALI, 99 (62%) were male, and the median age was 27 years (range, 14-70 years). Of 156 patients with data available, 71 (46%) were admitted to an intensive care unit, and 46 (29%) required mechanical ventilation. Four in-hospital deaths occurred. Of 86 patients interviewed, 71 (83%) reported vaping tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-containing products, 36 (43%) cannabidiol (CBD)-containing products, and 39 (47%) nicotine-containing products. Sixty-five of 87 (75%) THC-containing products were reported as obtained from informal sources, such as friends, acquaintances, or unlicensed retailers. Of 87 vaping products tested from 24 patients, 49 (56%) contained THC. Vitamin E or vitamin E acetate was found in 41 (84%) of the THC-containing products and no nicotine products.Conclusions and relevancePatients' clinical outcomes and vaping behaviors, including predominant use of THC-containing products from informal sources, are similar to those reported by other states, despite California's legal recreational cannabis market. While most THC products tested contained vitamin E or vitamin E acetate, other underlying cause(s) of injury remain possible. The California Department of Public Health recommends that individuals refrain from using any vaping or e-cigarette products, particularly THC-containing products from informal sources, while this investigation is ongoing.