ACE- inhibitor induced angioedema requiring an emergency surgical airway

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors cause approximately 30% of the cases of angioedema which present to the emergency department; 11% of these patients require ICU admission. We report two patients who required emergency surgical airways secondary to angioedema related to ACE-inhibitors. Clinicians need to remember that these situations can be extremely dangerous and plan airway management carefully in these patients.