Anaphylactic reaction to intravenous cefazolin

Allergic responses to cefazolin occur in approximately 3% to 5% of patients. The responsibility of the health care professional includes developing an awareness that histamine release in varying degrees can occur with the administration of a variety of drugs utilized throughout the perioperative period. The authors discuss the cardiopulmonary manifestations resulting from the release of histamine during an allergic reaction. Differentiation of diagnosis of the causative agent, the effective treatment of the anaphylactic response during anesthesia, and preventive measures to reduce anesthesia morbidity are examined.