RT Book, Section A1 Jauch, Edward C. A1 Hall, Gregory A1 Knoop, Kevin J. A2 Knoop, Kevin J. A2 Stack, Lawrence B. A2 Storrow, Alan B. A2 Thurman, R. Jason SR Print(0) ID 1181040109 T1 Angioedema T2 The Atlas of Emergency Medicine, 5e YR 2021 FD 2021 PB McGraw-Hill PP New York, NY SN 9781260134940 LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1181040109 RD 2024/03/29 AB Angioedema is clinically characterized by acute onset of well-demarcated cutaneous swelling of the face, lips, and tongue; edema of the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat, or abdominal viscera; or nonpitting edema of the hands and feet (often asymmetric). It is hereditary, allergic, acquired, or idiopathic. Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is an autosomal dominant trait associated with a deficiency of serum inhibitor of the activated first component of complement (C1). Acquired angioedema has been described in patients with lymphoproliferative disorders and patients who possess autoantibodies against C1 esterase inhibitor. Often, the occurrence of angioedema is the first suggestion of an underlying illness. Allergic angioedema can result from medications or contrast agents, environmental antigens, or local trauma. Complications range from dysphagia and dysphonia to respiratory distress, airway obstruction, and death. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor–induced angioedema has a predilection for involvement of the lips, face, tongue, and glottis, whereas alteplase-induced angioedema most commonly involves the tongue, and both, like HAE, are often refractory to medical therapy.