Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor-Induced Gastrointestinal Angioedema: The First Danish Case Report

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) are widely used to treat hypertension and congestive heart failure. A rare side effect of ACEI therapy is angioedema, which in very rare cases may present as gastrointestinal angioedema (GA). A 45-year-old female presented with suddenly occurring diffuse abdominal pain. Imaging studies revealed small bowel wall edema. The patient had been on ACEI therapy for the last 6 months. The therapy was withdrawn, and the patient recovered quickly. There is no specific diagnostic test to confirm ACEI-induced GA, but symptoms usually regress completely after therapy discontinuation. An early diagnosis of ACEI-induced GA is important to avoid invasive diagnostic investigations and even laparotomy.