How is an acute attack of hereditary angioedema treated?
There are two currently available options for the treatment of acute angioedema attacks: • Administration of the bradykinin B2-receptor antagonist, icatibant. Bradykinin, which increases the permeability of the vascular wall for fluid, is present in abnormally high quantities in patients with HAE. Icatibant blocks the bradykinin B2 receptors in the cells of the blood vessel walls, which in turn prevents the swelling caused by the actions of bradykinin. The medication is injected into the subcutaneous adipose tissue. • Administration of C1-esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) concentrate. Patients with HAE have too little C1-esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) or the C1-INH present in their systems does not function correctly. Because of this deficiency, the body produces excessive amounts of bradykinin, with the result that they are at risk of swelling of the skin and mucous membranes. C1-INH concentrate is either injected into a vein or administered as an intravenous infusion.In addition to these opti