A review of published cases found that vaping cannabis oil can cause acute respiratory failure, with patients often requiring mechanical ventilation, and identified key ingredients in cannabis oil formulations that may contribute to lung injury.
Cannabis vapers, emergency physicians, and pulmonologists.
Acute respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation
What the researchers found
Literature review identified cases of acute respiratory failure from vaping cannabis oil. Common clinical features included respiratory failure requiring various modes of ventilation. The review summarized common laboratory abnormalities and the role of steroids in treatment. Different cannabis oil formulations and key ingredients were identified as potentially responsible for vaping-associated lung injury.
Why it matters
Acute respiratory failure from cannabis vaping can be life-threatening. Understanding the clinical presentation and responsible ingredients helps clinicians respond appropriately.
The numbers in context
No specific pooled statistics provided. Review compiled clinical details across published cases.
How the study worked
Case series with literature review analyzing published reports of acute respiratory failure from vaping cannabis oil, summarizing clinical details including age, length of stay, ventilation mode, and treatment.
What this study cannot tell us
Based on published case reports which may not represent all cases. Specific causative agents were still being investigated at time of publication.
How to read the evidence
Case series and literature review with limited ability to establish incidence or causation.
When this study was published
2020 review.
The bigger picture
This review emerged during the EVALI crisis and contributed to understanding the specific risks of cannabis oil vaping versus nicotine vaping.
Questions still open
- Which specific ingredients in cannabis oil formulations cause the most lung damage? Are regulated cannabis vape products safer than black market ones?
Common questions
Can vaping cannabis cause respiratory failure?
What in cannabis vape products causes lung damage?
Read the original research
Cannabis Vaping-Induced Acute Pulmonary Toxicity: Case Series and Review of Literature.
Journal of investigative medicine high impact case reports, 8, 2324709620947267
Citation
Adapa, Sreedhar; Gayam, Vijay; Konala, Venu Madhav; Annangi, Srinadh; Raju, Mina P; Bezwada, Vishnu; McMillan, Christine; Dalal, Hussain; Mandal, Amrendra; Naramala, Srikanth. (2020). Cannabis Vaping-Induced Acute Pulmonary Toxicity: Case Series and Review of Literature.. Journal of investigative medicine high impact case reports, 8, 2324709620947267. https://doi.org/10.1177/2324709620947267
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