Angioedema induced by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors: an analysis of hospitalizations during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of angioedema induced by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors is based on the accumulation of bradykinin as a result of angiotensin-converting enzyme blockade. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) binds to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor, which may inhibit its production and thereby lead to an increase in bradykinin levels. Thus, SARS-CoV-2 infection may be a likely trigger for the development of angioedema. AIMS: This study aimed to analyze cases of hospitalizations of patients with angioedema associated with the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed medical records of patients admitted to the Vitebsk Regional Clinical Hospital between May 2020 and December 2020 with isolated (without urticaria) angioedema while receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers. In all patients, smears from the naso- and oropharynx for COVID-19 were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Fifteen inpatients (9 men and 6 women) aged 4472 years were admitted because of emergent events, of which 53.6% had isolated angioedema. In two cases, a concomitant diagnosis of mild COVID-19 infection was established with predominant symptoms of angioedema, including edema localized in the face, tongue, sublingual area, and soft palate. All patients had favorable disease outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with аngiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-induced angioedema may require hospitalization to monitor upper respiratory tract patency. There were cases of a combination of аngiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-induced angioedema and mild COVID-19. Issues requiring additional research include the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the levels of bradykinin and its metabolites, the triggering role of COVID-19 in the development of angioedema in patients receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, recommendations for the management of patients with аngiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-induced angioedema, and a positive result for COVID-19.