An Unusual Complication: ACE Inhibitor–Induced Small-Bowel Angioedema

Some patients who take angiotensin-converting–enzyme inhibitors present with acute abdominal pain and have characteristic computed tomography findings.

Angiotensin-converting–enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are widely recognized to cause oral and facial angioedema. Case reports suggest that ACE inhibitors also cause small-bowel angioedema on rare occasions. In this retrospective study, researchers describe 20 patients with presumed ACE inhibitor–induced small-bowel angioedema; all patients underwent contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT) scanning. Cases were collected from two institutions during 15 years.

Patients presented with acute severe abdominal pain; most also experienced nausea and vomiting. The authors imply that no patients had concomitant oral or facial swelling. CT findings included long segments of jejunum and ileum with mild dilation, straightening, wall thickening, and…

Reviewing Author

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose