title: Complements Are Not Always a Good Thing: Novel Therapies for Angioedema.
abstract: Hereditary angioedema attacks are rare, but emergency care providers must be aware of the clinical presentation and treatment of these patients because the emergency department remains the most common setting where these patients seek treatment. If providers are not aware of the past medical history of these patients, they are likely to receive standard therapies for respiratory distress and anaphylaxis including antihistamines, corticosteroids, and epinephrine. However, these medications may not work in these patients, given the pathophysiology of their underlying disease. Since 2009, several new therapies have been approved for the treatment of acute hereditary angioedema attacks. This article discusses pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and use of novel therapies for the management of angioedema.
authors.affiliation: University of Kentucky HealthCare and University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, Lexington, Kentucky (Dr Bailey); Charleston Area Medical Center, Charleston, West Virginia (Dr Reed); and Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina (Dr Weant); and St. Claire Regional Medical Center, Morehead, Kentucky (Dr Justice).
authors.forename: Abby Mynatt
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: Brittany S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.forename: Kyle A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Weant
authors.forename: Stephanie Baker
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Justice
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D054179:Angioedemas, Hereditary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003174:Complement C1 Inactivator Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006633:Histamine Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010949:Plasma
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D003174:Complement C1 Inactivator Proteins; D006633:Histamine Antagonists; D004837:Epinephrine