Predictors of Airway Intervention in Angioedema of the Head and Neck

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Records of patients presenting with angioedema of the head and neck were analyzed to determine clinical factors that predict the need for airway intervention.

METHODS: A review of patients with angioedema of the head and neck over a 10-year period was conducted. Data were collected regarding demographics, cause of edema, and sites of involvement. A logistic regression model was used to ascertain whether any clinical variables were significant in predicting the need for airway intervention.

RESULTS: Review of 138 charts with an admitting diagnosis of angioedema yielded 66 cases of angioedema of the head and neck in 48 patients. Twenty-three (34.8%) patients required airway intervention. Logistic regression identified increasing age and angioedema involving the oral cavity/ oropharynx as predictors of airway intervention; involvement of other sites, cause, and sex were not predictive.

CONCLUSION: Location of edema and patient age predict which patients with angioedema of the head and neck are likely to require airway intervention.