[The multiple etiologies of angioedema]

Rev Med Suisse. 2008 Apr 23;4(154):1030-4, 1036-8.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Angioedema is a frequent disorder with multiple aetiologies. Angioedemas associated with urticaria are usually caused by histamine release and respond to anti-histamines and adrenalin. They include allergic angioedemas, anaphylactoid reactions (mostly drug-induced, e.g. NSAID), physical angioedemas and recurrent idiopathic angioedema. Bradykinin probably plays a causative role in the pathogenesis of ACE-inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blocker related angioedemas, as well as in the pathogenesis of the rare hereditary or acquired C1-inhibitor deficiency angioedemas. Urticaria is then typically absent and anti-histamines, as well as adrenalin, are ineffective.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angioedema / classification
  • Angioedema / etiology*
  • Humans