Intérêt de l’acide tranexamique en traitement d’urgence de première intention des crises d’angiœdème bradykinique sous IEC

Tranexamic acid for angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor induced angioedema: A retrospective multicenter study

BACKGROUND

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is) prevent the breakdown of bradykinin and can lead to life threatening angioedema. Tranexamic acid is an antifibrinolytic that inhibits formation of precursors involved in bradykinin synthesis and, in case reports, has been described as a potential treatment for ACE-I angioedema.

METHODS

This retrospective study included patients who presented to the emergency department (ED) from January 2018 to August 2021 with angioedema while taking an ACE-I. Patients who received tranexamic acid (treatment group) were compared with patients who did not receive tranexamic acid (control group). Primary outcome was length of stay (LOS). Secondary outcomes evaluated included ICU admissions, intubations, and safety events.

RESULTS

A total of 262 patients were included in this study (73 treatment; 189 control). Overall, the median ED LOS was longer in the treatment group than controls (20.9 h vs 4.8 h, p < 0.001). ICU admission rates were higher in the treatment group (45% vs 16%, p < 0.001). More patients were intubated in the treatment group (12% vs 3%, p = 0.018). No difference was seen between the treatment group and the controls for return within 7 days, complications related to thrombosis, and death. In patients presenting with severe angioedema symptoms who were admitted to the hospital, median LOS was not different between the two groups (58.7 h vs 55.7 h, p = 0.61).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who received tranexamic acid had increased ED LOS, rates of ICU admission, and need for intubation. This finding may be related to the severity of presentation. Administration of tranexamic acid appears safe to use in ACE-I angioedema. Prospective randomized controlled studies should be considered to determine whether tranexamic acid is an effective treatment for ACE-I angioedema.

Acute quadruple extremity compartment syndrome due to angio-oedema after polypharmacy overdose including olmesartan medoxomil, telmisartan and vildagliptin

This case report describes a rare manifestation of acute compartment syndrome (ACS) involving all four extremities, precipitated by angio-oedema in a middle-aged woman who consumed an overdose of multiple medications: nifedipine, azelnidipine, amlodipine besylate, olmesartan medoxomil, telmisartan, esaxerenone and vildagliptin. She presented with haemodynamic instability, necessitating intubation. Despite stabilising haemodynamic parameters within 24 hours, she manifested escalating extremity oedema. At 52 hours after ingestion, mottled skin was observed, along with necrotic alterations in the swollen hands and compartment pressures exceeding 30 mm Hg in all extremities. ACS was diagnosed, leading to fasciotomies. The aetiology is postulated to be drug-induced angio-oedema, possibly intensified by the concurrent overdose of olmesartan medoxomil, telmisartan and vildagliptin, each of which has a risk of angio-oedema even at standard dosages. This scenario is a very rare case caused by drug-induced angio-oedema, which underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring to detect ACS in patients with progressing limb oedema.

A challenging case of bradykinin-mediated angioedema with airway obstruction: management and therapeutic strategies

Angioedema is a potentially life-threatening condition that can have an allergic origin, usually mediated by histamine or a non-allergic origin, mediated by bradykinin. The distinction between these origins may present a clinical challenge at first approach, especially in cases that appear as an emergency and the outcome is time dependent. The authors describe a rare case of bradykinin angioedema associated with airway obstruction and discuss the right approach and therapeutic options. A 46-year-old patient under ACE inhibitor, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone blocker and beta blocker presented with difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath and angioedema, associated with inspiratory stridor, incapacity of talking, plantar pruritus and vomits minutes after ingestion of shrimp. The symptoms did not respond to epinephrine, anti-histamines or steroids. The airway quickly became an emergency and the authors discuss the importance of airway obstruction management and having a multidisciplinary well-defined plan of approach with backup plans. Exuberant angioedema persisted leading to the suspicion of drug induced angioedema. Treatment with tranexamic acid 1g 6/6h and icatibant 30 mg 6/6h (3 doses) was started with resolution. In these cases, the rapid institution of the right pharmacological line will relate significantly to a better outcome. It is particularly important because, as their underlying physiopathologic mechanism differ, bradykinin mediated angioedema does not respond to drugs that histamine mediated angioedema does, like corticosteroids and antihistaminic. In severe and life-threatening cases icatibant and tranexamic acid have proven to be an effective therapy.

Mechanisms involved in hereditary angioedema with normal C1-inhibitor activity

Patients with the inherited disorder hereditary angioedema (HAE) suffer from episodes of soft tissue swelling due to excessive bradykinin production. In most cases, dysregulation of the plasma kallikrein-kinin system due to deficiency of plasma C1 inhibitor is the underlying cause. However, at least 10% of HAE patients have normal plasma C1 inhibitor activity levels, indicating their syndrome is the result of other causes. Two mutations in plasma protease zymogens that appear causative for HAE with normal C1 inhibitor activity have been identified in multiple families. Both appear to alter protease activity in a gain-of-function manner. Lysine or arginine substitutions for threonine 309 in factor XII introduces a new protease cleavage site that results in formation of a truncated factor XII protein (Δ-factor XII) that accelerates kallikrein-kinin system activity. A glutamic acid substitution for lysine 311 in the fibrinolytic protein plasminogen creates a consensus binding site for lysine/arginine side chains. The plasmin form of the variant plasminogen cleaves plasma kininogens to release bradykinin directly, bypassing the kallikrein-kinin system. Here we review work on the mechanisms of action of the FXII-Lys/Arg309 and Plasminogen-Glu311 variants, and discuss the clinical implications of these mechanisms.

Initial characteristics and follow-up of patients with a diagnosis of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor induced angioedema

Background: A differential diagnosis between angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) angioedema (AE) and histaminergic AE (hAE) might be challenging. Follow-up data may help discriminate these conditions but are scarcely reported. Objective: To report on the follow-up of patients with suspected ACEi-AE and to describe the baseline characteristics of AE attacks in patients with a diagnosis of ACEi-AE after follow-up. Methods: Sixty-four patients with suspected ACEi-AE (i.e., with exposure to ACEi before the first attack, no urticaria associated, and normal C1-inhibitor levels) and at least one follow-up visit were included. Data were retrospectively collected at baseline and during the follow-up. Results: After the follow-up, the diagnosis of ACEi-AE was probable in only 30 patients. The remaining patients were reclassified as having probable hAE (21 patients) or undetermined-mechanism AE (13 patients). Patients with ACEi-AE were mostly men (61%), with a median age of 64 years (interquartile range [IQR] ±17 years), with a highly variable delay from ACEi introduction (median: 23 months; interquartile range: 103 months). Attacks preferentially involved lips (50%), tongue (47%), and throat (30%). Interestingly, patients with probable ACEi-AE after a follow-up also frequently presented with a history of allergy and atopic conditions (20%), attacks with preferential evening onset (25%), and spontaneous resolution in < 24 hours (26%), which are usually considered as suggestive of hAE. ACEi-AE attacks responded to icatibant in 79% of the patients. Conclusion: Patients with probable ACEi-AE were mostly men with facial involvement. A third of the patients with an initial suspected diagnosis of ACEi-AE had a final diagnosis of probable hAE. Although a follow-up of all patients should be a standard of care, it is critical to the correct diagnosis in the case of suspected bradykinin-associated AE, which may actually be due to histamine.

The First Occurrence of Angioedema After Discontinuation of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor

Angioedema is one of the dreaded side effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. It has been well established in the literature and the timing of onset is variable from months to years after initiation of therapy. Patients remain at risk of recurrence of angioedema even after discontinuation of the drug if they developed it once while on the drug. While only recurrences of ACE inhibitor-induced angioedema are described in the literature, our patient did not develop angioedema while being on the drug and had the first occurrence of angioedema one month after the medication was discontinued. We argue that since our patient did report an ACE inhibitor-related dry cough, this case emphasizes the strength of the relation between the two common side effects of the ACE inhibitors. This favors that among the risk factors that predispose individuals to develop angioedema, ACE inhibitor-associated cough is a major one. Although the mechanism of ACE inhibitor-related cough is poorly understood, bradykinin seems to be the common culprit mediator for these two side effects. Hence, clinicians need to be aware of this potential threat and be cautioned when they witness an ACE inhibitor-related cough.

Tranexamic Acid for the Emergency Treatment of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor-Induced Angioedema

INTRODUCTION

Angioedema is a rare but potentially life-threatening adverse effect associated with the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Various therapies, including ecallantide, icatibant, complement-1 esterase inhibitors, and fresh frozen plasma, have been used for treatment with inconsistent results and significant adverse effects. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is used as an alternative for the treatment of hereditary angioedema and it may be an attractive option for the treatment of ACE inhibitor-induced angioedema (ACEi-AE) in the emergency department (ED). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of TXA administration on rates of intubation in patients presenting to the ED with suspected ACEi-AE.

METHODS

This was an institutional review board-approved, retrospective cohort study conducted at a single-site ED. All patients who received TXA for ACEi-AE in the ED between January 1, 2019 and March 31, 2021 were eligible for inclusion. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients who required intubation for suspected ACEi-AE.

RESULTS

A total of 16 patients received TXA in the ED for suspected ACEi-AE during the study timeframe. Of these, two patients were intubated prior to administration of TXA. The remaining 14 patients did not require intubation following TXA administration.

CONCLUSION

Administration of TXA was associated with a low rate of adverse effects and did not contribute to further morbidity when added to standard care in patients presenting to the ED with suspected ACEi-AE.

Risk Factors Associated with Intubation and Readmissions in patients with Angioedema: A Single Center Experience

BACKGROUND

Given the heterogeneity of etiologies, pathophysiology and presentation of angioedema, variations in clinical outcomes, such as intubation and hospital readmissions, need further clarification.

OBJECTIVE

To determine factors associated with intubation and hospital readmissions in patients with angioedema.

METHODS

Retrospective study of patients evaluated with a diagnosis of angioedema over a 6year period. Demographic and clinical data such as medication use, family history, comorbidities, and symptoms were recorded. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze factors associated with intubation, while Cox regression was used to analyze readmissions.

RESULTS

From 636 patients, the most common etiology of angioedema was angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) induced at 58%. The overall mortality was 0.5%. After adjusting for gender, race, comorbidities, and type of angioedema, smoking (OR=1.79, 95% CI=1.10-2.93, p=0.02), calcium channel blocker (CCB) therapy (OR=1.91, 95% CI=1.18-3.10, p=0.009), histaminergic symptoms (OR=3.21, 95% CI=1.93-5.33, p<0.001) and age (OR=1.02, 95% CI=1.00-1.04, p=0.023) were independently associated with increased odds of intubation. Involvement of either the pharynx, larynx or tongue was associated with higher odds of intubation (OR=20.96, 95% CI=10.63-41.33, p<0.001). 10% of patients had a readmission for angioedema within 90 days and 75% occurred within 30 days. After Multivariable Cox Regression analysis, only COPD/asthma (OR=2.13, 95% CI=1.12-4.07, p=0.022) and ACEI related angioedema (OR=2.93, 95% CI=1.33-6.47, p=0.008) were significantly associated with readmissions.

CONCLUSION

Smoking, CCB use, histaminergic symptoms, age, and upper airway involvement were significantly associated with intubation. Presence of COPD/asthma and ACEI related angioedema were independently associated with increased odds of readmission.

Tranexamic acid for ACE inhibitor induced angioedema - A case report

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an antifibrinolytic agent which inhibits conversion of plasminogen to plasmin, a key step in kallikrein activation and bradykinin formation. Tranexamic acid is used in prophylactic management of hereditary angioedema; however, evidence for TXA in angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor-induced angioedema (ACEI-AE) is limited. We describe a patient who presented to the emergency department with ACEI-AE who was successfully treated with TXA. This case suggests that TXA may be a beneficial treatment modality in the management of ACEI-AE and warrants further investigation.

Tranexamic acid adverse reactions: a brief summary for internists and emergency doctors

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is a synthetic lysine analogue that is well known as antifibrinolytic agent. It can reduce blood loss in clinical use, especially in conditions where fibrinolysis or hyperfibrinolysis are involved, such as trauma or surgery. Moreover, TXA has been approved as second-line prophylactic therapy for hereditary angioedema and further data have been published about a possible use of TXA as maintenance treatment for nonhistaminergic angioedema and treatment for episodes of bradykinin-mediated angioedema induced by ACE inhibitors. TXA can be administered through several routes: orally, topically, or intravenously. Although, it is a drug with a very high safety profile, in few cases hypersensitivity reactions have been described occurring with different clinical manifestations. Ethamsylate can be an alternative in TXA sensitized patients. In this brief article we describe TXA adverse reactions and current protocols which have been proposed to help clinicians to diagnose TXA hypersensitivity.

Angioedema, ACE inhibitor and COVID-19

SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, binds to the ACE2 receptors. ACE2 is thought to counterbalance ACE in the renin-angiotensin system. While presently it is advised that patients should continue to use ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, questions still remain as to whether adverse effects are potentiated by the virus. Here, we report a case of a 57-year-old man, unknowingly with COVID-19, who presented to the emergency department with tongue swelling, shortness of breath and difficulty in speaking following 4 months taking benazepril, an ACE inhibitor. Finally, we also describe possible pathways that exist for SARS-CoV-2 to interact with the mechanism behind angioedema.

Airway management of angioedema patients during the COVID-19 pandemic

Importance

The COVID-19 pandemic is characterized by high transmissibility from patients with prolonged minimally- or asymptomatic periods, with a particularly increased risk of spread during aerosol-generating procedures, including endotracheal intubation.

Observations

All patients presenting with upper airway obstruction due to angioedema during this time should be carefully managed in a way that is safest for both patient and provider.

Conclusions

For patients requiring emergent airway management during the COVID-19 pandemic, minimization of aerosols while taking the necessary precautions to protect healthcare workers should are critical principles for their management.

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.