Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-induced angioedema: still unrecognized.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are a widely used antihypertensive modality. While they have a favorable side effect profile, there is a .1% to .2% incidence of potentially life threatening angioedema. The edema usually presents in the head and neck, especially the face, lips, tongue, and glottis. Patients may initially be treated with standard anti-allergic therapy; however, the situation may dictate a more aggressive therapeutic approach. The authors present the case of a patient who presented with angioedema 18 times over a 3-year period to qualified emergency physicians before the correct diagnosis of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-induced angioedema was made. Despite recent literature on the subject, there appears to be a lack of familiarization among emergency department physicians regarding this relatively common adverse effect.
Finley
C J
CJ
Department of Emergency Medicine, Eastern Virginia Graduate School of Medicine, Norfolk 23507.
Silverman
M A
MA
Nunez
A E
AE
D000328:Adult; D000799:Angioedema / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D004656:Enalapril / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D004656:Enalapril