Hereditary Angioedema

ABSTRACT

It is crucial to distinguish bradikinin-mediated angioedema from mast cell-mediated angioedema. Bradykinin mediated angioedema often presents with severe or even life-threatening swelling. Bradykinin-mediated angioedema does not respond to standard treatments used for mast cell-mediated angioedema. Nowadays, the development of new drugs has made it possible to treat bradykinin-mediated angioedema-related attacks and to prevent morbidity and mortality. In this article, the known and unknown aspects of bradykinin-related angioedema, its pathophysiology, diagnosis and differential diagnosis, and treatment modalities are discussed.

Key words: Bradykinin-mediated angioedema, Hereditary angioedema