Perioperative anaphylaxis: epidemiology.
The clinical diagnosis of an anesthesia-related immediate hypersensitivity reaction is a difficult task for clinicians. Anaphylaxis may present as cardiovascular collapse or airway obstruction, associated or not with cutaneous manifestations. Drug hypersensitivity reactions that occur during anesthesia are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality and socio-economic costs. Perioperative anaphylaxis is becoming more common, probably because of the more frequent use of anesthesia and the increasing complexity of the drugs used. However, despite increased awareness of anaphylactic reactions to drugs and compounds used in anesthesia, their incidence remains poorly defined. Moreover, current epidemiological data should be carefully evaluated since the various studies published concerned non-homogeneous populations and gave differing definitions of drug hypersensitivity.
Department of Pediatrics, University of Pavia, Italy. sissi_del-78@hotmail.com
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Caimmi
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Caimmi
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Bernardini
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Caffarelli
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Crisafulli
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Marseglia
D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology; D008220:Lymphography; D059035:Perioperative Period / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy
D003287:Contrast Media