E-Cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI)
R.E.B.E.L.EM - April 23, 2020 - By Borelli C
Article: Layden JE et al. Pulmonary Illness Related to E-Cigarette Use in Illinois and Wisconsin – Final Report. NEJM 2020. PMID: 31491072
"Authors’ Conclusions:
“Case patients presented with similar clinical characteristics. Although the definitive substance or substances contributing to injury have not been determined, this initial cluster of illnesses represents an emerging clinical syndrome or syndromes. Additional work is needed to characterize the pathophysiology and to identify the definitive causes.”
Clinical Take-Home Points:
The clinical presentation of EVALI based on this case series typically occurs in young males with subjective fever, dyspnea, cough, abdominal pain, and diarrhea which overlaps with many respiratory illnesses (including the recent COVID outbreak) and remains a diagnosis of exclusion. Inquiring about vaping is important, and the specific products should be recorded."