EVALI is the name of the mysterious vaping disease we have blogged about recently.  Lung transplant surgery has saved the life of a young man who contracted the mysterious lung affliction.
As you might already know from FLASS specialists’ previous reports, EVALI stands for E-cigarette, or Vaping product Use Associated Lung Injury. The young man’s lung transplant surgery story has been the latest in a series of patients’ stories on a terrifying outbreak of EVALI.

 

Follow-up Story:  Double Lung Transplant

FLASS and the CDC are Reaching Out to You with Critical Updates on EVALI.

Grateful for the work of the surgeon and his team, the family of the boy made this statement. “Within a very short period of time, our lives have been forever changed. The boy has gone from the typical life of a perfectly healthy 16-year old athlete…” Now, he “intubated and with two new lungs, facing a long and painful recovery process.”  as he struggles to regain his strength and mobility, which has been severely impacted…”

Dr. Hassan Nemeh is the surgical director of thoracic organ transplant at Henry Ford Hospital. He said in a statement announcing the mid-October procedure, “This teenager faced imminent death had he not received a lung transplant…”  Dr. Nemeh carried out the procedure with two other surgeons and a team of experts.

Ironically, the surgeon made his announcement only one day after President Donald Trump said he would meet with vaping industry representatives.  Importantly, “the President and his administration are in the process of defining new regulations for e-cigs and vaping products.” Meanwhile, this is happening against a backdrop of vaping-related illnesses and deaths all across the US.

Here in Orlando, we extend our concern for this patient and many others like him. This disease has disrupted lives forever and in some cases, stopped them.

 

New Facts on EVALI

It’s time to follow up on our previous articles on the EVALI outbreak. Last Thursday, CDC records confirmed 2,051 cases of lung injury disease.

  • Those 2051 patients are in serious to severe condition,
  • However, they are not on the worse list: The death list. The deaths associated with the e-cigarette or vaping lung injury (EVALI,) have now climbed to 39.

And Now:  CDC  EVALI Research Marches On

Researchers have confirmed that nearly “85 percent of lung injury patients in the nationwide outbreak have reported using products containing THC…”

  • Just in case you are unaware, FLASS wants you to know that THC is the substance in marijuana that makes people experience a “high.”
  • Last Friday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explained that “lung samples taken from 29 patients with vaping-related injuries suggest all contained Vitamin E acetate…”
  • The CDC stated, “Vitamin E acetate might be used as a thickening agent in THC-containing e-cigarette, or vaping, products.”
  • We can find Vitamin E acetate “in many foods, including vegetable oils, cereals, meat, fruits, and vegetables. It is also available as a dietary supplement…” Additionally, it is found in “many cosmetic products, like skin creams.” However, it is not a good substance to inhale.

Special Notes On Vitamin E acetate

Vitamin E acetate usually does not cause harm when ingested as a vitamin supplement or applied to the skin. However, even previous research suggests danger when vitamin E acetate is inhaled, it may interfere with normal lung functioning.

Now, suspicions are now confirmed.  However, it was only last week when the CDC found definite proof.

EVALI is a Lung Disease.

Breathe Deep. You are Part of the Flass Family and We Want You to Stay Around For A Long, Long Time.

In the 29 samples, they discovered vitamin E acetate. This was at least one of the seemingly innocuous substances responsible for sending e-cigarette users to the hospital.

 

A Warning from the CDC

  • Until researchers better understand the link between vitamin E acetate and lung health the CDC warns the public not to add vitamin E acetate to any e-cigarette, or vaping, products.
  • Additionally, they warned that people should not at any substance to an e-cigarette or vaping products.
  • It’s just not safe to add chemicals “that are not intended by the manufacturer, including products purchased through retail establishments.”
  • FLASS cautions you that the CDC investigation is not complete. Watch for more updates and guidance concerning EVALI as they reveal new data.

The Double Lung Transplant

EVALI robs families of simple, joyous moments like this one. Lungs don’t need flavor, nicotine or vitamin E acetate. They thrive on air.

We only know a little background on The Michigan boy who received the double lung transplant. He and his family have not had their identity revealed. Doctors initially admitted him to St. John’s Hospital in Detroit on September 5. At first, he appeared to have pneumonia. Then he was intubated later that week so he could breathe. From there his conditioned worsened and he became critically ill.

He suffered so much “severe lung damage that he was placed at the top of the list for a transplant, which was performed on October 15, the hospital said.” In spite of the seriousness of the surgery, Henry Ford Hospital states that this young double lung transplant patient has a “very good prognosis…” However, they added that he faces a long recovery.

 

A Summary of the New CDC Laboratory Findings Of EVALI

In summary, the newest findings on EVALI reflect CDC suspicions we previously reported in this blog.

  • The researchers found vitamin E acetate in all samples.
  • The scientists identified THC in 82% of the samples.
  • In 62% of the samples, they found nicotine.
    They stated unequivocally, “This is the first time that we have detected a chemical of concern in biologic samples from patients with these lung injuries. These findings provide direct evidence of vitamin E acetate at the primary site of injury within the lungs.”

The Transplant Surgeon’s Perspective:  A True Picture of EVALI

To Stay in the Picture, Avoid Vaping and EVALI.

EVALI is almost too pretty a word for the horrific injury it inflicts on the human lungs. Of the Michigan boy who survived the recent double lung transplant, Dr. Nemeh had this to say.

“The patient’s lungs were scarred, stiffened, pocked with dead spots and extremely inflamed.”  His words painted an eerie image as he added, “On a CT scan before the surgery, the patient’s chest appeared almost empty as if the lungs had vanished.”

He explained, “Normal lungs look dark on imaging because they are full of air; the patient’s lungs were not visible because they were not working. There was no air.”

Furthermore, he said “What I saw in his lungs is like nothing I’ve seen before. And I’ve been doing lung transplants for 20 years,” Dr. Nemeh added, “This is an evil I haven’t faced before.”

We hope his words will prevent at least one person from vaping or using cigarettes. If so, this blog, which spreads his words, will have been well-spent.

 

Lungs, Laws, and Life

We also join thousands of other pulmonary professionals who agree with Dr. Nemeh’s message. He called the case a preventable tragedy caused by “a senseless type of product that needs to be fought.”

The message is clear. Certainly, we could not be more concerned about this public outbreak of rapid-fire EVALI lung destruction.

Don’t vape. Don’t let your children vape. At the very least, avoid the temptations of electronic cigarettes until the CDC concludes its current investigation. Likewise, avoid them until laws are in place to govern the products you choose to vape.  Please don’t have a “preventable tragedy” or a double lung transplant of your own.

As we have said before, in many different ways,  Breath is Beautiful.  Don’t take it for granted.