Volume 2018, Issue 1 9724530
Case Report
Open Access

Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage Induced by Vaping

Michael Agustin

Corresponding Author

Michael Agustin

Guam Regional Medical City, 133 Route 3, Dededo, Guam 96929, USA grmc.gu

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Michele Yamamoto

Michele Yamamoto

Guam Regional Medical City, 133 Route 3, Dededo, Guam 96929, USA grmc.gu

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Felix Cabrera

Felix Cabrera

Guam Regional Medical City, 133 Route 3, Dededo, Guam 96929, USA grmc.gu

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Ricardo Eusebio

Ricardo Eusebio

Guam Regional Medical City, 133 Route 3, Dededo, Guam 96929, USA grmc.gu

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First published: 07 June 2018
Citations: 32
Academic Editor: Takeshi Terashima

Abstract

There has been a significant increase in electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use since its introduction in 2007. Ironically, there remains very few published literature on the respiratory complications of e-cigarettes. The use of personalized vaporizers or commonly known as “vaping” has started to overtake standard e-cigarette. Its dynamic vaporizer customization makes it challenging to assess long-term health effects. Case reports on the pulmonary complications of e-cigarettes are limited to bronchiectasis, eosinophilic pneumonia, pleural effusion, and suspected hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is bleeding into the alveolar spaces of the lung secondary to disruption of the alveolar-capillary basement membrane. We report a case of young male presenting with subacute respiratory failure. He was later found to have diffuse alveolar hemorrhage syndrome that is likely induced by aggressive vaping. This adds up to the rising concern on the possible serious complications of this innovative technology designed as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes.

Data Availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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