Successful Extubation With Use of C1 Esterase Inhibitor Concentrate in a Patient With Hereditary Angioedema: In Response

Asphyxiation by laryngeal edema in patients with hereditary angioedema.

Objective To describe the occurrence of fatal laryngeal edema in patients with hereditary angioedema due to C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency. Patients and Methods We describe 6 patients from various regions of Germany who died from laryngeal edema within the last 10 years. Furthermore, we conducted a retrospective survey of 58 patients with hereditary angioedema, originating from 46 affected families. The data were obtained from the attending physicians and from the patients' relatives. Results Among the 6 reported patients, aged 9 to 78 years, hereditary angioedema had been diagnosed in 3 and was undiagnosed in 3. None of them had an emergency cricothyrotomy or received C1 inhibitor concen…