Evaluation of staging criteria for disposition and airway intervention in emergency department angioedema patients

AIM: Angioedema is a nonpitting edema that can lead to death secondary to airway obstruction. Previously, a staging system based on localization of the angioedema was proposed for risk stratification of likelihood of need for admission or airway intervention. This study aims to evaluate a staging system based on angioedema localization as a method of predicting need for admission or airway intervention. METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review of angioedema cases that presented to an academic emergency department (ED) from August 1, 2006, to January 31, 2018. Data were collected on location of swelling, treatment setting, and medical and procedural interventions. Cases were categorized by modified Ishoo criteria, defined as follows: 1, lips, face, periorbital, extremities, total body/diffuse swelling; 2, soft palate, posterior pharynx; 3, tongue; 4, larynx. Predictive probability of disposition by stage was then compared. RESULTS: A total of 320 patients were included in this study (median age, 44 years; 54.4% female). Stage 4 was more likely to require intensive care unit care without (probability 17%) and with (67%) airway intervention compared with stage 1 without (2.5%) and with (0.1%) airway intervention. Conversely, stage 1 was more likely to be treated in ED and discharged (85%) compared with stage 4 (0%). Stage 4 was also more likely to require airway intervention (67%) compared with other stages (1, 0.1%; 2, 8.6%; 3, 16%). CONCLUSION: Higher‐stage patients were more likely to require higher levels of care and airway intervention. Thus, the staging system appears to be a valid method of predicting risk among ED angioedema patients.