Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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Review
Brief review: angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angioedema: anesthetic implications.
Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) are a group of drugs used to treat hypertension and heart failure, with additional benefits, such as cardiovascular and renal protection, in patients with diabetes. However, angioedema as a complication of ACEI therapy is under-recognized. As there are important implications for anesthesiologists and emergency medicine physicians, a review was undertaken to document the scope of the problem of ACEI-induced angioedema.. ⋯ In view of the widespread clinical indications and ever-increasing use of ACEI drugs, the potentially life-threatening adverse reaction of ACEI-associated angioedema, and its treatment, must be recognized by anesthesiologists and all clinicians involved in airway management.