Case Report

Recurrent ICU Admissions for Airway Protection in a Young Female with Hereditary Angioedema: A Case Report

Abstract

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare condition that may involve life-threatening upper airway swelling. A 19-year-old female with known C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency presented multiple times with lip and tongue swelling without stridor. She was electively intubated for airway protection during each episode and treated with Berinert®, resulting in symptom resolution. Hormonal and prophylactic therapy was initiated after repeated ICU admissions. This case highlights the need for high suspicion and early airway intervention in HAE, even in the absence of overt respiratory distress. Prompt airway management and tailored long-term treatment are essential in managing recurrent angioedema.

[1] Bork K, Hardt J, Witzke G. Fatal laryngeal attacks and mortality in hereditary angioedema due to C1-INH deficiency. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012;130(3):692–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2012.05.055
[2] Zuraw BL. Hereditary angioedema. N Engl J Med. 2008; 359(10):1027–36. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra0804887
[3] Busse PJ, Christiansen SC, Riedl MA, et al. US HAE Association Medical Advisory Board 2020 Guidelines. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2021;9(1):132–150.e3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. jaip.2020.08.04650 Tasawar I. Airway Management in Hereditary Angioedema. CRCP. 2025; 10(1):48-50 January/February 2025, Volume 10, Issue 1
[4] Longhurst H, Cicardi M. Hereditary angio-oedema. Lancet. 2012;379(9814):474–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(11)60935-5
[5] Craig T, Aygören-Pürsün E, Bork K, et al. WAO guideline for the management of hereditary angioedema. World Allergy Organ J. 2012;5(12):182–99. https://doi.org/10.1097/WOX.0b013e-318279affa
[6] Cicardi M, Banerji A, Bracho F, et al. Icatibant, a new bradykinin-receptor antagonist, in hereditary angioedema.
N Engl J Med. 2010;363(6):532–41. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa0906393
[7] Prematta MJ, Kemp JG, Gibbs JG, et al. Prodromal symptoms in hereditary angioedema. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2009;30(5):506–511. https://doi.org/10.2500/aap.2009.30.3269
Files
IssueVol 10 No 1 (2025): January-February QRcode
SectionCase Report(s)
Keywords
Hereditary angioedema(HAE) C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency Airway management Intensive care

Rights and permissions
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
1.
Tasawar I. Recurrent ICU Admissions for Airway Protection in a Young Female with Hereditary Angioedema: A Case Report. CRCP. 2025;10(1):48-50.