AMelioration of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor Induced Angioedema Study

Sudden occurrence of subcutaneous or submucosal non-itchy swelling, so-called angioedema, is a well known side effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi), which may become life-threatening if the upper airway is involved. To be note, ACEi induced angioedema were always located in the head and neck region.

The pathophysiology of ACE inhibitor (ACEi) induced angioedema most likely resembles that of hereditary angioedema (HAE), i.e. it is mainly mediated by bradykinin induced activation of vascular bradykinin B2 receptors (BKR-2). In contrast to an increased bradykinin generation in HAE, treatment with ACEi decreases the bradykinin degradation in plasma and increases the biological activity of bradykinin.

The current pharmacotherapy of ACEi induced angioedema is not satisfactory. Antihistamines and corticosteroids may be effective in the treatment of urticaria with cutaneous edema and itchy, but are theoretically ineffective and hence superfluous in bradykinin induced angioedema. However, glucocorticoids still belong to the standard treatment of angioedema.

We hypothesized that the BKR-2 antagonist icatibant might be an effective therapy for ACEi-induced angioedema.

Patients with ACEi induced angioedema, located in the upper aero-digestive tract will be randomized and treated either with icatibant and plazebo or cortisone with clemastin and plazebo.

Inclusion criteria

• Age >= 18 <85 years
• Patient is currently treated with an ACEI
• Patient must have acute angioedema attack caused by an ACEI
• Treatment should be administrated within 10 hrs after onset by an ACEI
• Patient with angioedema of head and /or neck (face, lips, cheeks, tongue, soft palate/uvula, pharynx and larynx)
• At least one moderate to severe severe angioedema symptom as assessed by the investigator, requiring a medical intervention
• Signed written Informed Consent Form

Exclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of angioedema that was not caused by ACEI: e.g. hereditary angioedema (C1-INH deficiency), allergy, anaphylaxis, insect bite, trauma, infection, abscess, tumor, post-radiation or post-operative or processes related to salivary glands and others where it is unlikely that the ACEI is causing the angioedema
• Participation in a clinical trial of another investigational medicinal product (IMP) within 30 days
• Patients with acute urticaria
• Patients with a medical history of any angioedema before taking an ACEI
• Patients with an acute rash or hives in the face or somewhere else
• Unstable angina or acute myocardial infarction
• Acute heart failure
• Serious concomitant illnesses that the physician considers to be a contraindication for participation in the trial
• Pregnancy and/or breast-feeding
• Mental condition rendering the patients, in the opinion of the investigator, unable to understand the nature, scope and possible consequences of the study;
• Unlikely to comply with the protocol, e.g., uncooperative attitude, inability to return for the follow-up visit, or unlikely to complete the study for any reason.