Angioneurotic edemas of the upper aerodigestive tract after ACE-inhibitor treatment.

There are rare cases in which inhibitors of the angiotensin-converting enzyme can cause an angioneurotic edema of the upper aerodigestive tract. The pathomechanism of this side effect depends on an interaction of the drug with hormones regulating vascular permeability, such as the kallikrein kinin system and the prostaglandin system. Angioedema is characterized by subcutaneous or submucosal swellings, which usually affect the lips, soft palate, tongue and larynx. Pathomechanisms, differential diagnosis and treatment of ACE-inhibitor-induced edema of the upper aerodigestive tract are described in three case reports.