SIGNS, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT OF EVALI: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Introduction: Electronic cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury (EVALI) is an acute pulmonary syndrome caused by the toxic inhalation of vapor produced from heated e-liquid. It mainly affects young individuals who use vapes for about ninety days, causing respiratory, constitutional, and gastrointestinal symptoms. It is a recently identified condition, still under investigation, with diagnosis made by exclusion of other diseases. Objective: To highlight the clinical and functional changes caused by EVALI and analyze the most commonly used treatments. Methods: An integrative literature review was conducted through searches in PubMed via MEDLINE and BVS databases, using Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS): “Vaping”, “E-cigar”, “Vape”, “EVAL”, “Therapeutic”, “Treatment”, “Lung Injury”, and “Functional Status”. Articles were selected independently by two reviewers using the Rayyan platform. Results: Four articles were included, showing that the main compounds present in vapes are THC and nicotine, often combined with other substances. The most common signs and symptoms were fever, cough, and dyspnea. Most patients affected by EVALI required hospitalization and were treated with corticosteroids and oxygen supplementation. Conclusion: It is concluded that vape use causes diffuse alveolar damage, alters respiratory mechanics, and treatment involves corticosteroid anti-inflammatory therapy combined with discontinuation of electronic cigarette use.