LUNG INJURY ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES OR VAPING (EVALI), CURRENT STATUS OF THE PROBLEM
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/2411-9164.24.1-3Keywords:
EVALI, electronic cigarettes, vaping, lung injury, acute respiratory failure, diagnosis, intensive care, systemic corticosteroid therapy, respiratory supportAbstract
The prevalence of e-cigarette use and vaping has increased dramatically in recent years, especially among teenagers and young adults. E-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury (EVALI) is a serious condition characterized by respiratory symptoms and lung damage that was officially identified in 2019 during the EVALI epidemic. [1, 2]. Aim: based on an analysis of scientific literature, highlight the features of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnostics, and intensive care of EVALI. Materials and methods. To achieve the goal, a search and analysis of full-text articles in the PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus databases was conducted. The search was conducted using the keywords “vaping-related lung injury”, “acute respiratory failure”, “respiratory support”, “systemic corticosteroid therapy”, included randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses and covered English-language publications over the last 7 years (from 2019 to 2025). Results. The analysis of the sources showed that vaping, despite its proven health risks, is becoming increasingly popular. Cases of acute lung injury associated with vaping continue to be reported worldwide. Diagnosis of EVALI is challenging due to the diversity of presentations and the lack of a single diagnostic test. Healthcare professionals should maintain a high index of suspicion for EVALI in patients with respiratory symptoms and a history of e-cigarette use. Treatment for EVALI focuses on supportive care and symptom relief, as randomized clinical trials have not yet evaluated specific treatments. Conclusions. EVALI continues to be a pressing problem, given the increasing prevalence of vaping and e-cigarette use. Diagnosis is challenging and involves ruling out other causes of acute lung injury. Treatment is focused on supportive and symptomatic therapy. Research is ongoing to find a specific treatment.
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