Today, the CDC released two new reports on e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI):
Clinical Update:
CDC is updating its clinical guidance for EVALI to include earlier outpatient follow-up and more comprehensive discharge planning.
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Patients should be in stable condition for 24–48 hours prior to discharge.
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Patients should have a follow-up visit with a primary care physician or pulmonary specialist optimally within 48 hours of discharge to minimize the risk of rehospitalization or death.
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A high proportion of EVALI patients who were re-hospitalized or died after discharge had one or more chronic medical conditions, including cardiac disease, chronic pulmonary disease, and diabetes, and increasing age might be risk factors leading to higher morbidity and mortality among some EVALI patients.
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Clinicians should expand efforts to enhance care coordination and discharge planning to address comorbidities, including mental health and substance use disorder services.
Reminder:
Health care professionals should report cases of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) or lung injury of unclear etiology in patients with a history of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use to their state or local health departments.
For additional resources on vaping, members may see ATS vaping pieces here. Other CDC content on lung injury may be found here and here.
