Bradykinin-Mediated Angioedema

Abstract

To the Editor: Angioedema is a nonitchy, pale swelling of subcutaneous or submucosal tissue that tends to recur chronically and can become life-threatening if the swelling occurs in the upper airways or can be very painful if it occurs in the gastrointestinal tract. Angioedema presenting together with urticaria1 usually responds well to antihistamines and corticosteroids, whereas angioedema without urticaria is frequently resistant to such therapy but may respond to a C1 esterase inhibitor, tranexamic acid, or both2 — therapies that can reduce bradykinin generation. These findings raise the question of whether bradykinin mediates angioedema. We measured plasma bradykinin in patients . . .