Tranexamic acid: preoperative prophylactic therapy for patients with hereditary angioneurotic edema

Effects of Primary Mast Cell Disease on Hemostasis and Erythropoiesis

Mast cell disease is an epigenetically and genetically determined disease entity with very diverse clinical manifestations in potentially every system and tissue due to inap pro priate release of variable subsets of mast cell mediators together with accumulation of either morphologically normal or altered mast cells. Easy bruising, excessive bleeding, and aberrancies of erythropoiesis can frequently be observed in patients with mast cell disease. A thorough history, including a family history, will guide the appropriate work-up, and laboratory evaluations may provide clues to diagnosis. In recent years, our understanding of the involvement of coagulation and anticoagulant pathways, the fibrinolytic system, and erythropoiesis in the pathophysiology of mast cell disease has increased considerably. This review summarizes current knowledge of the impact of the disturbed hemostatic and erythropoietic balance in patients with mast cell disease and describes options of treatment.

Mitigating Disparity in Health-care Resources Between Countries for Management of Hereditary Angioedema

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of skin and mucosal edema. The main treatment goal is to enable a “normal life” for all patients. However, due to high costs, there are limited options for the management of HAE in most developing and low-income countries. As a result, most of the recommended first-line treatments are not available. In this review, we attempt to highlight the disparities in health-care resources for the management of patients with HAE amongst different countries. Data was collected from HAE experts in countries who provide tabulated information regarding management and availability of HAE treatments in their countries. We reviewed the two most recent international HAE guidelines. Using India, the world’s second most populous country, as a paradigm for HAE management in lower-income countries, we reviewed the evidence for second-line and non-recommended practices reported by HAE experts. Results suggest significant inequities in provision of HAE services and treatments. HAE patients in low-income countries do not have access to life-saving acute drugs or recently developed highly effective prophylactic medications. Most low-income countries do not have specialized HAE services or diagnostic facilities, resulting in consequent long delays in diagnosis. Suggestions for optimizing the use of limited resources as a basis for future discussion and reaching a global consensus are provided. There is an urgent need to improve HAE services, diagnostics and treatments currently available to lower-income countries. We recommend that all HAE stakeholders support the need for global equity and access to these essential measures.

Triggers and short-term prophylaxis in patients with hereditary angioedema

Background: Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare disease that affects 1 in 60,000; however, despite being extremely rare, the severity of the disease can cause significant limitations to quality of life. In addition, attacks can be fatal and require urgent care. Methods: We searched PubMed and Google for Hereditary Angioedema and prophylaxis, short term prophylaxis, surgery, medical procedures, dental work, triggers. Results: The main triggers are estrogens, Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACI) inhibitors, trauma, dental work, stress, surgery, manipulation of the upper airway, and medical procedures. Prophylaxis is often used long term to prevent attacks; before known triggers, prophylaxis is referred to as short-term prophylaxis (STP). When to initiate STP, what to use, and what dose to use have not been adequately researched, but there is consensus that, whenever the upper airway is manipulated, STP is essential. In addition, consensus has been reached that an IV C1 inhibitor is the preferred STP agent, and it is my opinion that dosing at 20 units/kg allows dosing for all ages and also allows average-size adults to receive >1000 units because failures at 1000 units have been documented in the literature. Conclusions: This article focused on triggers and preprocedural STP and not on pre-event STP, which is often used before important life events; however, medications and dosing are the same for pre-event prophylaxis.

The emerging importance of tranexamic acid in dermatology

Tranexamic acid (TA) is an antifibrinolytic agent, increasingly recognized as being of utility for a wide variety of skin diseases. We review the evidence supporting the use of TA for a range of dermatological indications, including (among others) melasma, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, urticaria, angio-oedema and haemostasis, in addition to practical considerations of its use by dermatologists.

Angioedema

Angioedema can be caused by either mast cell degranulation or activation of the kallikrein-kinin cascade. In the former case, angioedema can be caused by allergic reactions caused by immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated hypersensitivity to foods or drugs that can also result in acute urticaria or a more generalized anaphylactic reaction. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (cyclooxygenase 1 inhibitors, in particular) may cause angioedema with or without urticaria, and leukotrienes may have a particular role as a mediator of the swelling. Reactions to contrast agents resemble allergy with basophil and mast cell degranulation in the absence of specific IgE antibody and can be generalized, that is, anaphylactoid. Angioedema accompanies chronic urticaria in 40% of patients, and approximately half have an autoimmune mechanism in which there is IgG antibody directed to the subunit of the IgE receptor (40%) or to IgE itself (5%-10%). Bradykinin is the mediator of angioedema in hereditary angioedema types I and II (C1 inhibitor [INH] deficiency) and the newly described type III disorder some of which are caused bya mutation involving factor XII. Acquired C1 INH deficiency presents in a similar fashion to the hereditary disorder and is due either toC1 INH depletion by circulating immune complexes or to an IgG antibody directed to C1 INH. Although each of these causes excessive bradykinin formation because of activation of the plasma bradykinin-forming pathway, the angioedema due to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors is caused by excessive bradykinin levels due to inhibition of bradykinin degradation. Idiopathic angioedema (ie, pathogenesis unknown) may be histaminergic, that is, caused by mast cell degranulation with histamine release, or nonhistaminergic. The mediator pathways in the latter case are yet to be defined. A minority may be associated with the same autoantibodies associated with chronic urticaria. Angioedema that is likely to be life threatening (laryngeal edema or tongue/pharyngeal edema that obstructs the airway) is seen in anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions and the disorders mediated by bradykinin.

Risk of laryngeal edema and facial swellings after tooth extraction in patients with hereditary angioedema with and without prophylaxis with C1 inhibitor concentrate: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

Tooth extractions may trigger clinical symptoms of hereditary angioedema due to C1 inhibitor deficiency (HAE-C1-INH). The aim of this study was to determine how many tooth extractions were followed by symptoms of HAE-C1-INH in patients with and without preoperative short-term prophylaxis with C1 inhibitor concentrate.

STUDY DESIGN

Tooth extractions and clinical symptoms of HAE-C1-INH were determined from clinical record files of 171 patients with HAE-C1-INH.

RESULTS

Facial swelling or potentially life-threatening laryngeal edema, or both, occurred in 124/577 tooth extractions (21.5%) without prophylaxis. Similar symptoms occurred in a fewer proportion of patients undergoing extractions (16/128; 12.5%) after short-term prophylaxis with C1 inhibitor concentrate. The graded dose-response relationship was significant at P < .05.

CONCLUSIONS

Short-term prophylaxis with C1 inhibitor concentrate significantly reduces the risk of HAE-C1-INH symptoms after tooth extraction. In some patients, however, facial swellings and laryngeal edema symptoms may occur despite prophylaxis.

Brazilian guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of hereditary angioedema

Hereditary angioedema is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by edema attacks with multiple organ involvement. It is caused by a quantitative or functional deficiency of the C1 inhibitor, which is a member of the serine protease inhibitor family. Hereditary angioedema is unknown to many health professionals and is therefore an underdiagnosed disease. The causes of death from hereditary angioedema include laryngeal edema with asphyxia. The estimated mortality rate in patients in whom the disease goes undetected and who are therefore incorrectly treated is 25-40%. In addition to edema of the glottis, hereditary angioedema often results in edema of the gastrointestinal tract, which can be incapacitating. Patients with hereditary angioedema may undergo unnecessary surgical interventions because the digestive tract can be the primary or only organ system involved, thus mimicking acute surgical abdomen. It is estimated that patients with hereditary angioedema experience some degree of disability 20-100 days per year. The Experts in Clinical Immunology and Allergy of the "Associação Brasileira de Alergia e Imunopatologia -ASBAI" developed these guidelines for the diagnosis, therapy, and management of hereditary angioedema.

Hereditary angiodema: a current state-of-the-art review, IV: short- and long-term treatment of hereditary angioedema: out with the old and in with the new?

OBJECTIVE

To provide a context to understand the opportunity for novel therapeutic modalities to transform the treatment of hereditary angioedema (HAE).

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE and PubMed were searched to identify studies involving current treatment of HAE in the United States.

STUDY SELECTION

Studies were selected based on their relevance to the treatment of HAE.

RESULTS

The current HAE treatment strategy is far from satisfactory, and its limitations create an unmet clinical need. Current prophylactic treatment exposes patients with HAE to significant risk of adverse effects, and the efficacy of prophylactic treatment, although generally good, is far from perfect.

CONCLUSIONS

No specific treatment is currently available in the United States for acute HAE attacks that will reliably work, resulting in a significant unmet clinical need. The emergence of several promising drugs for the treatment of HAE attacks is, thus, an extraordinarily important development in the management of these patients.

Hereditary angioedema: the clinical syndrome and its management in the United States

There have been important breakthroughs in the understanding and treatment of hereditary angioedema (HAE). An associated abnormality of the serum protein C1 inhibitor led to purified protein use to end attacks. Consideration of the endocrine functions led to rediscovery of impeded androgen use in disease prophylaxis. Considerations of pathophysiology led to introduction of epsilon aminocaproic and tranexemic acids in prophylaxis and to a resurgence in trials of new therapeutic agents. We have gone from a situation where it was not uncommon for patients to have a severe attack sometime in their lives that led to airway compromise and possible death to a situation where death from disease is highly unusual. Thus HAE is in many ways a success story of modern medicine.

Genetic test indications and interpretations in patients with hereditary angioedema

Patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE) present with recurrent, circumscribed, and self-limiting episodes of tissue or mucous membrane swelling caused by C1-inhibitor (CI-INH) deficiency. The estimated frequency of HAE is 1:50,000 persons. Distinguishing HAE from acquired angioedema (AAE) facilitates therapeutic interventions and family planning or testing. Patients with HAE benefit from treatment with attenuated androgen, antifibrinolytic agents, and C1-INH concentrate replacement during acute attacks. HAE is currently recognized as a genetic disorder with autosomal dominant transmission. Other forms of inherited angioedema that are not associated with genetic mutations have also been identified. Readily available tests are complement studies, including C4 and C1-esterase inhibitor, both antigenic and functional C1-INH. These are the most commonly used tests in the diagnosis of HAE. Analysis of C1q can help differentiate between HAE and AAE caused by C1-INH deficiency. Genetic tests would be particularly helpful in patients with no family history of angioedema, which occurs in about half of affected patients, and in patients whose C1q level is borderline and does not differentiate between HAE and AAE. Measuring autoantibodies against C1-INH also would be helpful, but the test is available in research laboratories only. Simple complement determinations are appropriate for screening and diagnosis of the disorder.

Angioedema

Although first described more than 130 years ago, the pathophysiology, origin, and management of the several types of angioedema are poorly understood by most dermatologists. Although clinically similar, angioedema can be caused by either mast cell degranulation or activation of kinin formation. In the former category, allergic and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced angioedema are frequently accompanied by urticaria. Idiopathic chronic angioedema is also usually accompanied by urticaria, but can occur without hives. In either case, an autoimmune process leading to dermal mast cell degranulation occurs in some patients. In these patients, histamine-releasing IgG anti-FcepsilonR1 autoantibodies are believed to be the cause of the disease, removal or suppression by immunomodulation being followed by remission. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-induced angioedema is unaccompanied by hives, and is caused by the inhibition of enzymatic degradation of tissue bradykinin. Hereditary angioedema, caused by unchecked tissue bradykinin formation, is recognized biochemically by a low plasma C'4 and low quantitative or functional C'1 inhibitor. Progress has now been made in understanding the molecular genetic basis of the two isoforms of this dominantly inherited disease. Recently, a third type of hereditary angioedema has been defined by several groups. Occurring exclusively in women, it is not associated with detectable abnormalities of the complement system. Angioedema caused by a C'1 esterase inhibitor deficiency can also be acquired in several clinical settings, including lymphoma and autoimmune connective tissue disease. It can also occur as a consequence of specific anti-C'1 esterase autoantibodies in some patients. We have reviewed the clinical features, diagnosis, and management of these different subtypes of angioedema.

LEARNING OBJECTIVE

After completing this learning activity, participants should be aware of the classification, causes, and differential diagnosis of angioedema, the molecular basis of hereditary and non-hereditary forms of angioedema, and be able to formulate a pathophysiology-based treatment strategy for each of the subtypes of angioedema.

Hereditary angio-oedema in children: a management guideline

Hereditary angio-oedema is an uncommon condition, which usually first presents in childhood. In the absence of appropriate treatment hereditary angio-oedema has a high mortality. There are a number of reports of successful short- and long-term treatment with individual agents in those who suffer from hereditary angio-oedema. However, there is little guidance in the literature for the overall management of children and adolescents with this condition. Here we review the treatment options available for children and adolescents with hereditary angio-oedema, and propose a simple management guideline for such patients.

C1 inhibitor deficiency: consensus document

We present a consensus document on the diagnosis and management of C1 inhibitor deficiency, a syndrome characterized clinically by recurrent episodes of angio-oedema. In hereditary angio-oedema, a rare autosomal dominant condition, C1 inhibitor function is reduced due to impaired transcription or production of non-functional protein. The diagnosis is confirmed by the presence of a low serum C4 and absent or greatly reduced C1 inhibitor level or function. The condition can cause fatal laryngeal oedema and features indistinguishable from gastrointestinal tract obstruction. Attacks can be precipitated by trauma, infection and other stimulants. Treatment is graded according to response and the clinical site of swelling. Acute treatment for severe attack is by infusion of C1 inhibitor concentrate and for minor attack attenuated androgens and/or tranexamic acid. Prophylactic treatment is by attenuated androgens and/or tranexamic acid. There are a number of new products in trial, including genetically engineered C1 esterase inhibitor, kallikrein inhibitor and bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist. Individual sections provide special advice with respect to diagnosis, management (prophylaxis and emergency care), special situations (childhood, pregnancy, contraception, travel and dental care) and service specification.

Hereditary and acquired angioedema: problems and progress: proceedings of the third C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency workshop and beyond

Hereditary angioedema (HAE), a rare but life-threatening condition, manifests as acute attacks of facial, laryngeal, genital, or peripheral swelling or abdominal pain secondary to intra-abdominal edema. Resulting from mutations affecting C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH), inhibitor of the first complement system component, attacks are not histamine-mediated and do not respond to antihistamines or corticosteroids. Low awareness and resemblance to other disorders often delay diagnosis; despite availability of C1-INH replacement in some countries, no approved, safe acute attack therapy exists in the United States. The biennial C1 Esterase Inhibitor Deficiency Workshops resulted from a European initiative for better knowledge and treatment of HAE and related diseases. This supplement contains work presented at the third workshop and expanded content toward a definitive picture of angioedema in the absence of allergy. Most notably, it includes cumulative genetic investigations; multinational laboratory diagnosis recommendations; current pathogenesis hypotheses; suggested prophylaxis and acute attack treatment, including home treatment; future treatment options; and analysis of patient subpopulations, including pediatric patients and patients whose angioedema worsened during pregnancy or hormone administration. Causes and management of acquired angioedema and a new type of angioedema with normal C1-INH are also discussed. Collaborative patient and physician efforts, crucial in rare diseases, are emphasized. This supplement seeks to raise awareness and aid diagnosis of HAE, optimize treatment for all patients, and provide a platform for further research in this rare, partially understood disorder.

Laryngeal edema and death from asphyxiation after tooth extraction in four patients with hereditary angioedema

BACKGROUND

Recurrent angioedema is the hallmark of various inherited or acquired angioedema diseases. Hereditary angioedema, or HAE, due to C1 inhibitor, or C1NH, deficiency has considerable implications for dental health care providers because dental surgery may trigger distressing and even life-threatening episodes.

CASE DESCRIPTION

The authors reviewed the literature, focusing on the pathogenesis, clinical signs and treatment of HAE. They also provided case reports of four patients who died from laryngeal edema induced by tooth extraction. In patients with HAE, dental surgery--including tooth extraction--may be followed by self-limiting edema episodes, including lip swelling, facial swelling, tongue edema and laryngeal edema with upper airway obstruction. Preoperative prophylaxis has been performed with attenuated androgens, fresh frozen plasma, C1NH concentrate and antifibrinolytics. The four patients described underwent tooth extraction, which, after a symptom-free latency of four to 30 hours, provoked laryngeal edema. Three of the patients died of asphyxiation the night after surgery, and the fourth died on the second night. In three of the patients, laryngeal edema had not occurred previously.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Before undergoing dental surgery, patients with a history of recurrent angioedema should be evaluated for C1NH deficiency. If it is present, they are at risk of developing life-threatening laryngeal edema.

Current management of hereditary angio-oedema (C'1 esterase inhibitor deficiency)

Hereditary angio-oedema is characterised by recurrent swellings in any part of the body and also by recurrent attacks of severe abdominal pain. The disease is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner but up to 25% of cases can occur as a spontaneous mutation. Attacks of swelling can be precipitated by trauma, certain drugs, and emotional stress. Treatment usually involves a combination of prophylaxis, using androgens or antifibrolytic drugs, and replacement with C'1 esterase inhibitor concentrate for acute attacks and before surgery or other traumatic procedures.

The efficacy of short-term danazol prophylaxis in hereditary angioedema patients undergoing maxillofacial and dental procedures

PURPOSE

This study evaluated the efficacy of short-term danazol prophylaxis in hereditary angioedema patients undergoing maxillofacial or dental procedures.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twelve patients with a history of edema after dental procedures were administered danazol (600 mg/d) 4 days preoperatively and 4 days postoperatively. The serum levels of complement components were determined preoperatively and postoperatively as well as at 6, 12 and 24 hours in six patients.

RESULTS

None of the 12 patients developed angioneurotic edema. The serum levels of the complement components were decreased immediately after surgery and returned to normal within 24 hours.

CONCLUSION

The short-term prophylactic use of danazol in patients with hereditary angioedema undergoing oral surgery is an effective preventive measure.

Hereditary angioedema: its diagnostic and management perspectives

Although hereditary angioedema accounts for only a small fraction of all cases of angioedema, it is the most common genetically linked clinical disorder caused by the deficiency of a protein associated with complement activation. Attacks may be complicated by incapacitating cutaneous swelling, life-threatening upper airway impediment, and severe gastrointestinal colic. Recent physicochemical and genetic studies have contributed significantly to our understanding of the structure of the inhibitor protein. Measurement of serum C4 titer is an efficacious screening test. Normal levels during symptomatic periods rule out the diagnosis, whereas decreased levels warrant determination of C1 esterase inhibitor titer by immunoassay or functional assay. The functional assay is necessary to ascertain the genetic variant form. The importance of making the correct diagnosis cannot be overemphasized. It can avert potentially fatal consequences, such as upper airway obstruction and unnecessary abdominal surgery. The application of short-term preventive measures can avoid complications associated with trauma. Finally, abatement or elimination of symptoms in patients with incessant and disabling attacks can be attained by long-term therapy with currently available attenuated androgens.

Current status of antifibrinolytic drugs

Antifibrinolytic drugs, in particular, epsilon-aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acid, have been used in the management of a wide range of both bleeding and non-haemorrhagic disorders. Recognition of their side-effects and complications, comparison of their efficacy with other forms of therapy and more critical evaluation of their value has reduced the range of their definitive indications to a limited number of relatively uncommon situations; these comprise primary hyperplasminaemia, menorrhagia in women in whom oestrogens are contraindicated or in those with von Willebrand's disease, severe traumatic hyphaema, dental extraction in haemophiliacs and hereditary angioedema in patients in whom treatment with anabolic steroids is contraindicated. In a few conditions the possible benefit of antifibrinolytic agents, alone or supplementary to other forms of therapy, is unresolved; these include upper gastrointestinal bleeding, recurrent epistaxis and abruptio placentae.

Intravenous tranexamic acid in the management of hereditary angio-oedema

The pathogenesis and management of hereditary angio-oedema is discussed. The use of intravenous tranexamic acid to provide short term prophylactic cover for patients with hereditary angio-oedema undergoing oral surgery is presented.

Immunodeficiency diseases: head and neck manifestations

Infections of the upper respiratory tract are common to both the immunodeficient and the normal child during their development. The most common head and neck manifestations of immunodeficiency disease are recurrent suppurative otitis media, tonsillitis, sinusitis, rhinitis, and nasopharyngitis. Often the head and neck specialist is confronted with a child with one or more of these problems and must institute the appropriate therapy or decide on an avenue for further investigation. This paper outlines the major immunodeficiency state, discusses the immune defects thought to be responsible for the spectrum of clinical findings, and suggests a systematic approach to the evaluation of these difficult diseases. The recognition of immunodeficient individuals is an important step in their treatment so that adjunctive immunological therapy can be provided.

Anti-fibrinolytic therapy of giant hypertrophic gastritis (Menetrier's disease)

In five cases of giant hypertrophic gastritis (Menetrier's disease) biopsied gastric mucosa was examined for fibrinolytic activity; in all cases there was marked elevation of the activity due mainly to tissue plasminogen activator. The patients were given antifibrinolytic therapy with oral tranexamic acid (trans-4-aminomethyl cyclohexane carboxylic acid; trans-AMCHA), and four of the patients showed marked improvement of their hypoproteinemia as well as their mucosal disorders. One patient, who showed moderate increase of serum protein level but no reduction of the mucosal disorder, finally received gastrectomy. It was concluded that antifibrinolytic therapy seemed to block the vicious circle of 'membrane disorders', 'increased tissue fibrinolysis', 'increased vascular permeability' and 'hypoproteinemia' in Menetrier's disease.