Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Findings and Impact on Vaping

NCT ID: NCT06335329

Last Updated: 2025-11-06

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

200 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-07-17

Study Completion Date

2026-02-28

Brief Summary

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Vaping has emerged as a prominent public health crisis in recent years. In 2023, the National Youth Tobacco Survey found that more than 2.1 million adolescents endorse vaping, with 25% of those endorsing daily use. Many adolescents also perceive vapes as safer than cigarettes, and more acceptable to use both indoors and outdoors compared to cigarettes. Vapes are available in numerous device and delivery systems, with the psychoactive agent commonly including nicotine or cannabis, although these can be of a wide variety of concentrations and formulations. They may be ultra-compact and allow for ease of concealment. In addition, they are produced in a variety of appealing flavorings such as candy, desserts, and fruits. Other constituents include the liquids and aerosolized components of the vaping cartridges, including formaldehyde, acetone, glycerol, propylene glycol, acetaldehyde, and heavy metals. Many of the flavoring concentrates, as well as the vaporized solvents, have not been evaluated for long term safety. One of these additives, vitamin E acetate, present in primarily illicit vaping devices, rose to national attention in 2019 for a suspected link to the dramatic increase in vaping/e-cigarette associated lung injury (EVALI) cases, with over 60 confirmed deaths since that time.

To our knowledge, there are no studies evaluating the lung ultrasound findings of asymptomatic vapers. However, there is data to suggest that vaping can lead to pulmonary toxicity in in-vitro and animal models, including increased inflammatory cytokines, hyperreactivity, and oxidative stress. In addition, studies found the risk of bronchitic symptoms is twice as likely in current adolescent vapers, compared to those who have never vaped before. Given the potential pulmonary toxicity of vaping, as well as the increased percentage of adolescent vaping activity in recent years, investigators aim to evaluate baseline lung ultrasound findings in adolescents who vape. Concurrently, investigators will assess if observing their lung ultrasound findings can alter their attitudes and behaviors towards vaping. Prior adult studies have found that showing patients' their atherosclerosis plaque increased the motivation to quit and cessation rates. Additionally, data in pregnant patients found real-time ultrasound feedback of smoking effects on the fetus lead to near abstinence in light smokers. Given the frequent use of point-of-care ultrasound in the emergency department, investigators hope to assess an innovative intervention for cessation.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Vaping

Keywords

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vaping Point-of-care ultrasound adolescents POCUS

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

OTHER

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Participants
All participants will be randomized on a 1:1 ratio to be able to see and discuss their ultrasound results, or remain blinded to them.

Study Groups

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standard vaping cessation counseling (SOC) + ultrasound (US)

Participants will receive SOC via a publicly available infographic from the Food and Drug Administration). They will also be provided with a discussion of lung US findings

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Discussion of point-of-care ultrasound lung findings

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The investigator will obtain point-of-care ultrasound images to assess the lung findings in 12 lung fields. These 12 lung fields will include the standard protocol of the upper and lower halves of the anterior, lateral, and posterior chest bilaterally. Subjects' ultrasound images will be scored using a modified lung ultrasound score (LUS). Each of the 12 lung fields will be scored from 0-5, with a total score of 0-60 (noted below). The participants will watch their ultrasound being performed, looking at their lungs in real time. Then, the ultrasound findings will be discussed with the participant.

Modified LUS 0: No B-lines present

1. 1 well-defined B-line
2. 2-3 well-defined B-lines
3. \>3 B-lines
4. Confluent B-lines
5. Lobar consolidation

* C: Noted if subpleural consolidation present
* E: Noted if pleural effusion present

Standard vaping cessation counseling (SOC) alone

Participants will receive a SOC alone. They will be kept blinded to their lung point-of-care ultrasound findings and will not be able to visualize the images as the ultrasound is performed.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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Discussion of point-of-care ultrasound lung findings

The investigator will obtain point-of-care ultrasound images to assess the lung findings in 12 lung fields. These 12 lung fields will include the standard protocol of the upper and lower halves of the anterior, lateral, and posterior chest bilaterally. Subjects' ultrasound images will be scored using a modified lung ultrasound score (LUS). Each of the 12 lung fields will be scored from 0-5, with a total score of 0-60 (noted below). The participants will watch their ultrasound being performed, looking at their lungs in real time. Then, the ultrasound findings will be discussed with the participant.

Modified LUS 0: No B-lines present

1. 1 well-defined B-line
2. 2-3 well-defined B-lines
3. \>3 B-lines
4. Confluent B-lines
5. Lobar consolidation

* C: Noted if subpleural consolidation present
* E: Noted if pleural effusion present

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Ages 12-18 years of age
* Has own individual cell phone or email for communication
* Member of a vaping history group that is not yet full for enrollment (ex: up to 100 vapers, up to 100 non-vapers)
* Able to speak and understand English

Exclusion Criteria

* Chronic Lung Disease
* History of pneumothorax
* Prior thoracic surgery including VATS (Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery)
* Sickle cell disease
* Current or prior cancer
* Significant congenital heart disease
* Acute upper respiratory infection (cough or congestion in the last 3 days)
* Acute chest trauma
* Acute pulmonary embolism
* Sedation medication administered prior to study image acquisition
* Known allergy or sensitivity to ultrasound gel
* Significant acute psychosis, mania, or suicidal ideation
* Any other medical or psychiatric condition or other significant concern that in the investigator's opinion would impact participant safety or compliance with study instructions, or potentially confound the interpretation of findings
* Inability or unwillingness of subject or legal guardian/representative to give informed consent/assent.
Minimum Eligible Age

12 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Medical University of South Carolina

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Locations

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Medical University of South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States

Facility Contacts

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Kaitlyn M Boggs, MD

Role: primary

References

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Gorukanti A, Delucchi K, Ling P, Fisher-Travis R, Halpern-Felsher B. Adolescents' attitudes towards e-cigarette ingredients, safety, addictive properties, social norms, and regulation. Prev Med. 2017 Jan;94:65-71. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2016.10.019. Epub 2016 Oct 20.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 27773711 (View on PubMed)

Overbeek DL, Kass AP, Chiel LE, Boyer EW, Casey AMH. A review of toxic effects of electronic cigarettes/vaping in adolescents and young adults. Crit Rev Toxicol. 2020 Jul;50(6):531-538. doi: 10.1080/10408444.2020.1794443. Epub 2020 Jul 27.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 32715837 (View on PubMed)

Fadus MC, Smith TT, Squeglia LM. The rise of e-cigarettes, pod mod devices, and JUUL among youth: Factors influencing use, health implications, and downstream effects. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2019 Aug 1;201:85-93. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.04.011. Epub 2019 May 23.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 31200279 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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Pro00133616

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id