Predictors of airway intervention in angioedema of the head and neck.

Abstract

Records of patients presenting with angioedema of the head and neck were analyzed to determine clinical factors that predict the need for airway intervention. 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. 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. Location of edema and patient age predict which patients with angioedema of the head and neck are likely to require airway intervention.