Vaping Damage Leads To Double Lung Transplant in Michigan

What is believed to be the first double lung transplant involving a patient affected by vaping has been performed at a Detroit area hospital. Surgeons at Henry Ford Health System believe it is the first procedure of its type in the world.

The patient is so far only described as a man. He asked doctors to share photos and information about his case as a way to warn others about the potential dangers of vaping.

The Associated Press reports the surgical team is scheduling a media briefing for late this afternoon to provide more details on the case. The team of medical experts believes it is "the first double lung transplant in the world for a patient whose lungs were irreparably damaged from vaping. Well over  2,000 Americans who vape are known to have become sick since March. Many of them are teenagers and young adults. At least 40 people have died. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently announced a breakthrough into the possible cause of the vaping sickness outbreak. CDC doctors have identified  the chemical compound vitamin E acetate as a "very strong culprit" after finding it in fluid taken from the lungs of 29 patients.

Vaping devices and E-cigarettes  heat liquids into inhalable vapors.  Many vaping liquids contain nicotine, but THC vaping has been growing more common.

Michigan Governor. Gretchen Whitmer  implemented an emergency rule in September banning flavored electronic cigarettes. Then a Michigan Court of Claims judge last month issued a preliminary injunction, blocking the  ban.