Clinical Practice Statement: What is the Emergency Department Management of Patients with Angioedema Secondary to an ACE-Inhibitor?

Angioedema is a complication that has been reported in up to 1.0% of individuals taking angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is). Importantly, the onset of angioedema can occur anywhere from hours to several years after initiation of therapy with ACE-Is. Although most cases of ACE-I –induced angioedema (ACE-I-AE) are self-limiting, a major clinical concern is development of airway compromise, which can potentially require emergent airway management. The underlying pathophysiology of ACE-I-AE is incompletely understood, but is considered to be due in large part to excess brady kinin.

Source: The Journal of Emergency Medicine - May 15, 2021 Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Steven Rosenbaum, R. Gentry Wilkerson, Michael E. Winters, Gary M. Vilke, Marie Yung Chen Wu Source Type: research