World Allergy Organization anaphylaxis guidelines: Summary

The WAO Guidelines focus on recommendations for the basic initial treatment of anaphylaxis, as summarized below. Prepare for anaphylaxis assessment and management of anaphylaxis in healthcare settings. Have a posted, written emergency protocol and rehearse it regularly. As soon as the clinical diagnosis of anaphylaxis is made, discontinue exposure to the trigger, if possible; for example, discontinue an intravenously administered diagnostic or therapeutic agent. Assess the patient rapidly (circulation, airway, breathing, mental status, and skin). Simultaneously and promptly: call for help; inject epinephrine (adrenaline) by the intramuscular route in the mid-anterolateral aspect of the thigh; and place the patient on the back or in a position of comfort with the lower extremities elevated. When indicated at any time during the anaphylactic episode, administer supplemental oxygen, give intravenous fluid resuscitation, and initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation with continuous chest compressions. At frequent and regular intervals, monitor the patient's blood pressure, cardiac rate and function, respiratory status and oxygenation and obtain electrocardiograms; start continuous noninvasive monitoring, if possible. Patients with anaphylaxis refractory to the above measures, for example, those requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation and those requiring intravenous epinephrine or another vasopressor should, if possible, be transferred to a healthcare facility where additional support is available. Ideally, this includes specialists in emergency medicine, critical care medicine and/or anesthesiology, trained and experienced nurses and technicians, and appropriate medications, supplies, and equipment. Where such skilled support is not available, physicians should, if possible, obtain additional training and experience in the management of refractory anaphylaxis and additional training in lifesupport measures. At the time of their discharge from the healthcare setting, equip patients with epinephrine for self-administration, an anaphylaxis emergency action plan, and medical identification to facilitate prompt recognition and treatment of anaphylaxis recurrences in the community. Advise patients that they need follow-up visits with a physician, preferably an allergy/immunology specialist, to confirm their specific anaphylaxis trigger(s), prevent recurrences by avoiding specific trigger(s), and receive immunomodulation, if relevant. The authors thank Professor G. Walter Canonica, WAO President, 2008- 2009, for initiating this project and appointing the WAO Anaphylaxis Special Committee, and Professor Richard F. Lockey,WAO President, 2010-2011, for his support.We express our sincere appreciation to all representatives of the 84 WAO member societies and members of the WAO Board of Directors who reviewed the Guidelines and provided important input. We are grateful to Jacqueline Schaffer, MAMS, for illustrating the principles of anaphylaxis assessment and management promulgated in the Guidelines. We acknowledge the assistance provided by the WAO Secretariat, Milwaukee, WI, and by Lori McNiven, Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada. © 2010 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.