Prophylaxis and Treatment of Hereditary Angioedema with Fresh Frozen Plasma: A Synthesis and Narrative Review

Meredith Mosier, RN, BSN, RRNA; J. Dru Riddle, PhD, DNP, CRNA

Meredith Mosier, RN, BSN, RRNA Texas Christian University
J. Dru Riddle, PhD, DNP, CRNA Texas Christian University

Abstract

Patients with angioedema who experience an acute exacerbation may die if their symptoms are not treated promptly. Airway compromise can occur if proper precautions are not taken. Surgical patients with hereditary angioedema should undergo prophylactic treatment before surgical procedures to decrease the risk of an exacerbation. A literature search was performed using the Embase (Elsevier), CINAHL (EBSCO), Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition (EBSCO), and MEDLINE (National Library of Medicine) databases. Six articles were found that discussed administration of fresh fro-zen plasma (FFP) for treatment or prophylaxis against angioedema exacerbations. Synthesis of the evidence suggests that use of FFP as a sole prophylaxis or treatment for angioedema is inappropriate. FFP can be used as part of a multimodal treatment plan for prophylaxis against angioedema if a C1 esterase inhibitor is not available.

Author Biographies

Meredith Mosier, RN, BSN, RRNA, Texas Christian University

School of Nurse Anesthesia Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX. The author was a student at the time of writing.

J. Dru Riddle, PhD, DNP, CRNA, Texas Christian University

Assistant Professor of Professional Practice, School of Nurse Anesthesia Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX

References

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Prophylaxis and Treatment of Hereditary Angioedema with Fresh Frozen Plasma: A Synthesis and Narrative Review

Abstract

Author Biographies

References

Keywords