Angioedema Following Discontinuation of ACE Inhibitor Therapy

Q: Angioedema may occur even after Angiotensin Converting Enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I) is discontinued?

A) True

B) False

Answer: A

Although it is true that the only reliable treatment of ACE-I-induced angioedema is to discontinue it, it may take many months before it takes effect, and almost half of the patients may have a recurrent episode, particularly in the first month. Risk may get higher if the patient has any other reason to have angioedema.

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References:

1. Beltrami L, Zanichelli A, Zingale L, et al. Long-term follow-up of 111 patients with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-related angioedema. J Hypertens 2011; 29:2273.

2. Perman B, Narechania S, Malesker M. Geriatric Pharmacotherapy Case Series: Recurrent Angioedema Following Discontinuation of ACE Inhibitor Therapy. Sr Care Pharm. 2023 Jan 1;38(1):16-20. doi: 10.4140/TCP.n.2023.16. PMID: 36751921.