Fatal angioedema associated with enalapril

Can J Cardiol. 1989 Oct;5(7):335-6.

Abstract

A 65-year-old male with a long history of congestive heart failure presented to the emergency room with facial swelling 7 h after the first dose of enalapril. He was treated with diphenhydramine and hydrocortisone which improved his angioedema. However, there was a profound relapse of the angioedema followed by respiratory arrest. He suffered severe anoxic brain damage and died five days later. It is likely that the long half-life of enalapril lead to this rebound phenomenon. Enalapril induced angioedema is reviewed with suggestions for management.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Angioedema / chemically induced*
  • Coronary Disease / drug therapy*
  • Enalapril / adverse effects*
  • Enalapril / therapeutic use
  • Heart Failure / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia, Brain / chemically induced
  • Male
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / chemically induced

Substances

  • Enalapril