Date & Time of Session - 5/18/26 - from 12:00 - 1:00 PM

Overview
Pharmacists in the emergency department, intensive care units, or even in the outpatient space are likely to come into contact with angioedema. Due to the varied etiologies and life-threatening potential of angioedema, it is critical that every pharmacist can rapidly identify the underlying cause and recommend appropriate, targeted therapy. Histamine-mediated angioedema responds to traditional therapies like antihistamines and corticosteroids, while bradykinin-mediated angioedema, including ACE inhibitor-induced and hereditary angioedema, requires entirely different treatment approaches such as C1 esterase inhibitors (Berinert), icatibant, or ecallantide. Berinert has recently emerged within our patient population as a therapeutic controversy due to its extremely high cost and clinical trials that lack strong recommendations for its use in certain angioedema subtypes, making it essential for pharmacists to critically evaluate the evidence for appropriate indications and cost-effective utilization. Misidentification of angioedema type can lead to treatment failure, delayed intervention, potentially fatal airway compromise, and inappropriate use of expensive therapies with limited evidence. This presentation will provide a comprehensive review of angioedema classification, the evidence supporting and questioning Berinert use, alternative acute management strategies, and prophylactic options for high-risk patients. Overall, I believe this overview would be beneficial for all inpatient pharmacy staff in order to confidently manage this time-sensitive and potentially life-threatening condition while promoting evidence-based, judicious use of high-cost medications.

Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
1. Differentiate types of angioedema by pathophysiology and presentation
2. Evaluate appropriate acute pharmacologic treatments based on angioedema subtype
3. Develop evidence-based prophylactic strategies for hereditary and acquired angioedema
4. Recognize high-risk presentations requiring emergent airway and medication interventions

Target Audience
Free 1 credit hour of Continuing Education for St Elizabeth Health Care providers, Pharmacists, Residents and Students

Special Services
If you require special assistance to attend this event, please call Deanna Fliehman at (859) 301-6191

Speaker
Daphne Boggs, PharmD
PGY1 Pharmacy Resident 
St Elizabeth Healthcare - Edgewood, Kentucky