Fatal angioedema induced by angiotensin conversion enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

Abstract

ACE inhibitors are often prescribed in the treatment of hypertension, heart failure and kidney disease. These drugs are on the Essential Drugs List, and are therefore used at primary to tertiary health care levels in South Africa. Angioedema is considered a rare, but potentially fatal side-effect of this agent, with a reported incidence of 0.1–0.2% worldwide.1 Its incidence in the South African population is, however, unknown.