Angioedema induced by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors: an analysis of hospitalizations during the COVID-19 pandemic

Backgraund: The pathogenesis of angioedema induced by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors is based on the accumulation of bradykinin as a result of angiotensin-converting enzyme blockade. The SARS-CoV-2 virus by binding to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor, may inhibit its production, which in turn leads to an increase in bradykinin levels. Thus, infection with SARS-CoV-2 may be a likely trigger for the development of angioedema. Aims: to analyze the cases of hospitalizations of patients with angioedema associated with the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: a retrospective analysis of the medical records of inpatient patients admitted to the Vitebsk Regional Clinical Hospital in May-December 2020 with isolated (without urticaria) angioedema while receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers was performed. All patients received smears from the naso- and oropharynx for COVID-19 by polymerase chain reaction. Results: there were admitted 15 patients (9 men and 6 women) aged 44-72 years for emergency indications, which was 53.6% among all patients with isolated angioedema. In two cases, a concomitant diagnosis of mild COVID-19 infection was established with the predominance symptoms of angioedema in the clinical picture with localization in the face, tongue, sublingual area, soft palate. All patients had a favorable outcome of the disease. Conclusions: patients with аngiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-induced angioedema may need to be hospitalized to monitor upper respiratory tract patency. There were cases of a combination of аngiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-induced angioedema and mild COVID-19 infection. Issues requiring additional research: the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the levels of bradykinin and its metabolites; the trigger role of COVID-19 infection in the development of angioedema in patients receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers; recommendations for the management of patients with аngiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-induced angioedema and a positive result for COVID-19.