[Angioedema].

Angioedema can be a symptom of anaphylaxis; it may be more hazardous that the circulatory collapse in otherwise healthy patients. Angioedema can be part of IgE- and histamine-mediated allergic reactions or part of NSAID-induced hypersensitivity with disturbances in arachidonic acid metabolism. If angioedema occurs without urticaria or other symptoms of anaphylaxis, it is usually mediated by increased bradykinin synthesis (HANE, EANE) or reduced metabolism (ACE inhibitors). These observations have led to new therapeutic approaches in HANE. Icatibant is a bradykinin-receptor-2 antagonist and blocks bradykinin-induced angioedema in HANE. How applicable this will be to ACE-inhibitor angioedema remains to be seen.