Vaping Contributing to Postoperative Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Thoracic Surgery
• Pulmonology

Background:

• A case report detailing a challenging postoperative course following a Ross procedure for bicuspid aortic valve disease.
• The patient, an 18-year-old male, experienced pulmonary homograft stenosis requiring revision surgery.

Observation:

• Postoperative complications included acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with significant mucus plugging.
• Bronchoscopy did not identify an infectious pathogen as the cause of ARDS.

Findings:

• Undisclosed electronic cigarette use was identified as a likely contributor to the patient's severe postoperative respiratory complications.
• The patient's history of vaping was not known prior to the surgical intervention.

Implications:

• Highlights the critical need for preoperative screening of electronic cigarette use in all surgical patients.
• Emphasizes the importance of patient counseling regarding vaping cessation before elective procedures to mitigate surgical risks.