Mayo Clinic proceedings
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Mayo Clinic proceedings · Apr 2000
Review Case ReportsAsphyxiation by laryngeal edema in patients with hereditary angioedema.
To describe the occurrence of fatal laryngeal edema in patients with hereditary angioedema due to C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency. ⋯ Laryngeal edema in hereditary angioedema may be fatal. Most of the patients asphyxiated between their 20th and 50th years of life, but asphyxiation can occur even in children. The possibility that the first episode of laryngeal edema may be fatal must be emphasized to the relatives, and attending physicians must have a high degree of awareness.