Anesthesia in a patient with hereditary angioedema

Abstract

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare genetic disease caused by an autosomal dominant mutation that results in an alteration of the gene encoding the activated C1 esterase inhibitor protein (C1-INH), causing deficiency or dysfunction of C1-INH. It is characterized by recurrent and self-limited episodes with transient symptoms of swelling without urticaria of subcutaneous tissues, extremities, intestinal wall, genitalia and upper respiratory tract. Involvement of the larynx and glottis may result in death by asphyxia. The perioperative managment is reported of a patient with HAE and a long history of allergies in which the main considerations are related to the prevention of an acute crisis during the perioperative period. This required a preparation with fresh frozen plasma and tranexamic acid days before surgery, which was continued postoperatively, in addition to careful management during the anesthetic procedure.