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Prevention of acute systemic reaction during LDL apheresis post COVID-19 by icatibant pretreatment
Lauren R Davidson1, Naz Baecher1, Brian Cheung2
1Department of Allergy / Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Cardiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA (Davidson, Baecher, McIntosh, Bingemann, Block).
Insights
Lipoprotein apheresis can rarely cause angioedema-like reactions. Icatibant successfully prevented these severe bradykinin-induced reactions post-COVID-19 in a patient previously tolerating the treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Lipoprotein apheresis effectively lowers LDL-C in familial hypercholesterolemia when medications fail.
- This procedure can elevate bradykinin levels but is typically well-tolerated.
Observation:
- A patient with familial hypercholesterolemia experienced angioedema-like systemic reactions after COVID-19, despite prior tolerance to lipoprotein apheresis.
- These reactions were bradykinin-induced.
Findings:
- The study documents the first case of such reactions occurring post-COVID-19.
- Icatibant, a bradykinin receptor antagonist, was successfully used to prevent these reactions.
Implications:
- This case highlights a potential complication of lipoprotein apheresis following COVID-19.
- Icatibant may be a valuable therapeutic option for managing severe bradykinin-induced reactions to lipoprotein apheresis.
Abstract:
Lipoprotein apheresis is used as a treatment to lower levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia when LDL-C is not adequately controlled on maximally tolerated medications. Although it raises circulating levels of bradykinin, it is generally well tolerated and systemic reactions to lipoprotein apheresis are rare. Icatibant treats bradykinin-induced angioedema. We describe the first documented case of angioedema-like systemic reactions occurring post COVID-19 in a patient who previously tolerated lipoprotein apheresis and the prevention of such reactions with icatibant. Knowledge of successful treatment of severe bradykinin-induced reactions to lipoprotein apheresis with icatibant may help other patients with such reactions.
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