Meta-analysis of randomized trials of angioedema as an adverse event of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors

Life-threatening angioedema induced by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors: characteristics and risk factors

BACKGROUND

Angioedema induced by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) is a well-known phenomenon and roughly accounts for one-third of angioedema cases presenting to the emergency departments. This study aimed to characterize the patients with severe reactions that required hospitalization and tried to identify the risk factors for these life-threatening events.

METHODS

The records of all patients hospitalized with the diagnosis of "angioedema" over a 10-year period were retrospectively analyzed. Patients' characteristics as well as the characteristics of the angioedema-induced hospitalizations were studied.

RESULTS

In 46 of 165 patients (28%) the angioedema was ACEI induced. The severity of the event was mild in 12 patients (26%), moderate in 25 patients (54%), and severe in 9 patients (19%). Twelve patients (26%) were admitted to the intensive care unit and six patients (13%) underwent intubation. Epinephrine was administered to 13 patients (29%), steroids were administered to 40 patients (87%), and anti-histamines were administered to 36 patients (78%). One patient died as a consequence of the event (2%). Twenty patients (45%), including the deceased patient, had recurrent events of angioedema before admission. Obese patients had significantly more recurrent events compared with nonobese patients (p = 0.03). There was also a tendency for more severe events in the obese patients (p = 0.079). Diabetes was significantly associated with moderate-to-severe events (p = 0.009) whereas treatment with beta-blockers or diuretics was significantly associated with milder events (p = 0.007 and p = 0.044, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The high recurrence rate of ACEI-induced angioedema preceding subsequent life-threatening events suggests underdiagnosis of this potentially fatal adverse reaction. Diabetes and probably obesity are risk factors for more severe events. Physicians following patients receiving ACEI should be more aware of possible shortcomings associated with these medications.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-induced angioedema

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I) are widely used, effective, and well-tolerated antihypertensive agents. The mechanisms by which those agents act can cause side effects such as decreased blood pressure, hyperkalemia, and impaired renal function. ACE-I can induce cough in 5%-35% and angioedema in up to 0.7% of treated patients. Because cough and angioedema are considered class adverse effects, switching treatment to other ACE-I agents is not recommended. Angioedema due to ACE-I has a low fatality rate, although deaths have been reported when the angioedema involves the airways. Here, we review the role of bradykinin in the development of angioedema in patients treated with ACE-I, as well as the incidence, risk factors, clinical presentation, and available treatments for ACE-I-induced angioedema. We also discuss the risk for recurrence of angioedema after switching from ACE-I to angiotensin receptor blockers treatment.

Critical insights into the beneficial and protective actions of the kallikrein-kinin system

Hypertension is characterized by an imbalance between the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and the kallikrein-kinin system (KKS). Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin II AT-1 receptor antagonists (also known as sartans or ARBs) are potent modulators of these systems and are highly effective as first-line treatments for hypertension, diabetic nephropathies, and diseases of the brain and coronary arteries. However, these agents are mechanistically distinct and should not be considered interchangeable. In this mini-review, we provide novel insights into the often neglected roles of the KKS in the beneficial, protective, and reparative actions of ACEIs. Indeed, ACEIs are the only antihypertensive drugs that properly reduce the imbalance between the RAS and the KKS, thereby restoring optimal cardiovascular homeostasis and significantly reducing morbidity and the risk of all-cause mortality among individuals affected by hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors-induced angioedema treated by C1 esterase inhibitor concentrate (Berinert®): about one case and review of the therapeutic arsenal

C1 esterase inhibitor (Berinert®) is generally used to treat severe attack of hereditary angioedema. We describe here the case of a patient who presented with a severe angioedema induced by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) endangering her life. It could be successfully treated with that medicine.

Management of angioedema without urticaria in the emergency department

Angioedema refers to a localized, transient swelling of the deep skin layers or the upper respiratory or gastrointestinal mucosa. It develops as a result of mainly two different vasoactive peptides, histamine or bradykinin. Pathophysiology, as well as treatment, is different in each case; nevertheless, the resulting signs and symptoms may be similar and difficult to distinguish. Angioedema may occur at any location. When the affected area involves the upper respiratory tract, both forms of angioedema can lead to an imminent upper airway obstruction and a life-threatening emergency. Emergency physicians must have a basic understanding of the pathophysiology underlying this process. Angioedema evaluation in the emergency department (ED) should aim to distinguish between histamine- and bradykinin-induced angioedema, in order to provide appropriate treatment to patients. However, diagnostic methods are not available at the ED setting, neither to confirm one mechanism or the other, nor to identify a cause. For this reason, the management of angioedema should rely on clinical data depending on the particular features of the episode and the patient in each case. The history-taking should be addressed to identify a possible etiology or triggering agent, recording complete information for an ulterior diagnostic study in the outpatient clinic. It is mandatory quickly to recognize and treat a potential life-threatening upper airway obstruction or anaphylaxis. This review focuses on the underlying mechanisms and management of histamine- and bradykinin-induced angioedema at the emergency department and provides an update on the currently available treatments.

Postanesthetic Severe Oral Angioedema in Patient's Taking Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are the leading cause of a drug-induced angioedema. This occurrence is frequently underdiagnosed, but its relapse can be life-threatening. The authors' intention in reporting this clinical case is to sound a warning about reviewing attitudes and surveillance to try to improve patient perioperative safety.

Angioedema Related to Angiotensin Inhibitors

Angiotensin inhibitors have been extensively evaluated in clinical trials and have demonstrated significant reductions in morbidity and mortality following myocardial infarction and stroke, as well as in patients with heart failure or who are at risk of cardiovascular disease. Further, both angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are frequently prescribed for the treatment of hypertension and to preserve renal function in patients with diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease. Angioedema is a known, but rare, adverse effect of ACEIs and ARBs. Therefore, it is important for clinicians to have a thorough understanding of risks and benefits of prescribing these medications, particularly in patients with a history of angioedema. This review describes the literature evaluating the incidence and cross-reactivity of angioedema with ACEIs and ARBs in order to provide guidance for clinical decision making.

Drug-induced angioedema: experience of Italian emergency departments

Acute angioedema represents a cause of admission to the emergency department requiring rapid diagnosis and appropriate management to prevent airway obstruction. Several drugs, including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and oral antidiabetics, have been reported to induce angioedema. The aim of this prospective observational study conducted in a setting of routine emergency care was to evaluate the incidence and extent of drug-induced non-histaminergic angioedema in this specific clinical setting, and to identify the class of drugs possibly associated with angioedema. Patients admitted to seven different emergency departments (EDs) in Rome with the diagnosis of angioedema and urticaria were enrolled during a 6-month period. Of the 120,000 patients admitted at the EDs, 447 (0.37 %) were coded as having angioedema and 655 (0.5 %) as having urticaria. After accurate clinical review, 62 cases were defined as drug-induced, non-histaminergic angioedema. NSAIDs were the most frequent drugs (taken by 22 out of 62 patients) associated with the angioedema attack. Of the remaining patients, 15 received antibiotic treatment and 10 antihypertensive treatment. In addition, we observed in our series some cases of angioedema associated with drugs (such as antiasthmatics, antidiarrheal and antiepileptics) of which there are few descriptions in the literature. The present data, which add much needed information to the existing limited literature on drug-induced angioedema in the clinical emergency department setting, will provide more appropriate diagnosis and management of this potentially life-threatening adverse event.

Classification, diagnosis, and approach to treatment for angioedema: consensus report from the Hereditary Angioedema International Working Group

Angioedema is defined as localized and self-limiting edema of the subcutaneous and submucosal tissue, due to a temporary increase in vascular permeability caused by the release of vasoactive mediator(s). When angioedema recurs without significant wheals, the patient should be diagnosed to have angioedema as a distinct disease. In the absence of accepted classification, different types of angioedema are not uniquely identified. For this reason, the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology gave its patronage to a consensus conference aimed at classifying angioedema. Four types of acquired and three types of hereditary angioedema were identified as separate forms from the analysis of the literature and were presented in detail at the meeting. Here, we summarize the analysis of the data and the resulting classification of angioedema.

Hereditary angioedema: a brief review of new developments

BACKGROUND

Angioedema is a serious medical condition characterized by recurrent non-pitting tissue edema. Hereditary (HAE) forms of this disorder are potentially fatal.

METHODS

PubMED, Up to Date and Cochrane Library databases were used to identify scholarly peer reviewed original research or review articles on angioedema. Search terms used were: angioedema, HAE, ACE inhibitor induced angioedema, acquired angioedema, type III HAE (now termed HAE with normal C1-INH), diagnosis of HAE, and treatment of HAE. Inclusive dates of the search were 1946 through 2013. Articles on urticaria were excluded.

RESULTS

The pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, differential diagnosis and treatments of angioedema are presented. Three variants of HAE are discussed and differentiated from acquired, ACE induced and allergic types of angioedema. Emphasis is placed on understanding that HAE is mediated by bradykinin, not histamine, and is therefore unresponsive to antihistamines, corticosteroids and epinephrine. In contrast, newer therapies that replace C1-INH or block bradykinin production or action are the appropriate treatments for prophylaxis and acute treatment of HAE.

CONCLUSION

Recognition of HAE by primary care providers and distinguishing it from allergic histamine mediated angioedema is essential in preventing recurrent attacks and avoiding inappropriate therapy, and may be life-saving.

Guidance for diagnosis and treatment of acute angioedema in the emergency department: consensus statement by a panel of Italian experts

Angioedema attacks, characterized by the transient swelling of the skin and mucosae, are a frequent cause of visits to the emergency department. Swellings of the oral cavity, tongue, or larynx can result in life-threatening airway obstruction, while abdominal attacks can cause severe pain and often lead to unnecessary surgery. The underlying pathophysiologic process resulting in increased vascular permeability and plasma extravasation is mediated by vasoactive molecules, most commonly histamine and bradykinin. Based on the mediator involved, distinct angioedema forms can be recognized, calling for distinct therapeutic approaches. Prompt recognition is challenging for the emergency physician. The low awareness among physicians of the existence of rare forms of angioedema with different aetiologies and pathogenesis, considerably adds to the problem. Also poorly appreciated by emergency personnel may be the recently introduced bradykinin-targeted treatments. The main objective of this consensus statement is to provide guidance for the management of acute angioedema in the emergency department, from presentation to discharge or hospital admission, with a focus on identifying patients in whom new treatments may prevent invasive intervention.