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Frequency and recognition of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-associated angioneurotic edema
W E Golden1, M A Cleves, J K Heard
1University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock 72205.
Objective:
To evaluate the frequency of association of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor therapy with angioneurotic edema and the frequency of correct diagnosis by treating physicians.
Design:
Retrospective population-based chart review.
Setting:
Medicare patients identified with 1991 and 1992 MEDPRO data set.
Results:
51 patients were identified from the MEDPRO data sets. Twenty-four patients (47%) had ACE inhibitor-associated angioneurotic edema of whom 17 (71% of the subgroup) had the medication stopped. Twenty-nine percent of the affected patients were discharged still taking an ACE inhibitor. Twenty-six patients (51% of the total population) had non-ACE inhibitor-associated angioneurotic edema and one patient had an uncertain history.
Conclusion:
ACE inhibitor therapy is the number one cause of angioneurotic edema in our hospitalized patient population. Recognition of the association of this drug with the condition was not recognized in 29% of cases and the offending agent was continued upon discharge from the hospital.