Delayed angioedema during therapy with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors

Abstract

Introduction. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are leading cause of drug-induced angioedema, with incidence of 0.1 to 0.2%. The angioedema is not of immune nature; in predisposed individuals it is caused by accumulation of vasoactive mediators due to reduced activity of angiotensinconverting enzyme. Case report. We presented a 63-year old male patient suffering from hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, who had developed two episodes of angioedema during a 5-year long therapy with enalapril. The first episode happened after three, and the second after five years of the therapy. On both occasions, the patient was admitted to the hospital and tracheotomy was avoided in the last moment. Conclusion. Long-term therapy with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors could be associated with delayed angioedema, especially in patients with inflammation of airways caused by infection or chronic irritation.