Long-term Impact of E-cigarette and Vaping Product Use-associated Lung Injury on Diffusing Capacity for Carbon Monoxide Values: A Case Series

There has been an outbreak of lung injury associated with e-cigarettes and vaping in the United States since early 2019. We present two cases who were admitted to the hospital with shortness of breath and cough. Chest imaging showed they had interstitial changes. They were diagnosed with e-cigarette and vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) and treated with steroids and supportive management. With an improvement in symptoms, they were discharged home. On follow-up in the clinic, both patients were asymptomatic and had complete resolution of radiographic abnormalities. However, pulmonary function testing showed reduced diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO). Total lung capacity (TLC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first one second (FEV-1), and the FEV-1/FVC ratio were normal.