Fresh Frozen Plasma in Hereditary Angioedema Crisis: To Give or Not To Give?

Jamal Belkhouribchia; Sara Nguyen

doi:10.12890/2015_000253

Fresh Frozen Plasma in Hereditary Angioedema Crisis: To Give or Not To Give?

Jamal Belkhouribchia Department of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology University Hospital Brussels
Sara Nguyen Department of Dermatology University Hospital Brussels, Belgium.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.12890/2015_000253

Keywords

hereditary angioedema, fresh frozen plasma, C1-inhibitor, facial swelling

Abstract

Objectives: Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) has been used in angioedema crises, however there is a risk of aggravating the symptoms as well as transmitting infections. In this report, the authors emphasize the dangers of this therapy.

Materials and methods: A 25-year-old woman with hereditary angioedema (HAE) was treated with FFP after which her symptoms escalated.

Results: Administration of purified C1-inhibitor (C1-INH) resulted in relief of her symptoms.

Conclusions: FFP is to be avoided in a HAE crisis. Newer therapies for angioedema are preferred.

Author Biographies

Jamal Belkhouribchia ,
Department of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology University Hospital Brussels

Certified internist and endocrinologist with a special interest in clinical Immunology.

Member of the Department of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology of the University Hospital Brussels, Belgium.

Sara Nguyen ,
Department of Dermatology University Hospital Brussels, Belgium. Dermatologist with a special interest in angioedema and allergy.

Member of the Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Brussels, Belgium.

VIEW THE ENTIRE ARTICLE

PDF
HTML

References

Zuraw BL. Hereditary angioedema. NEJM 2008 Sep 4;359:1027-36.

Tang R, Chen S, Zhang HY. Fresh frozen plasma for the treatment of hereditary angioedema acute attacks. Chin Med Sci J 2012;>27:92-5.

Zanichelli A, Mansi M, Periti G, Cicardi M. Therapeutic management of hereditary angioedema due to C1 inhibitor deficiency. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2013;9:477-88.

Kalaria S, Craig T. Assessment of hereditary angioedema treatment risks. Allergy Asthma Proc 2013;34:519-22.

Pandey S, Vyas GN. Adverse effects of plasma transfusion. Transfusion 2012;52 Suppl 1:65S-79S.