Training Hereditary Angioedema Patients to Self-administer Intravenous C1 Esterase Inhibitor Concentrate

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare disorder that causes periodic attacks of sometimes painful swelling that may affect any organ system. HAE results in significant morbidity and diminished quality of life and requires patients to seek urgent medical care. HAE can be treated with C1 esterase inhibitor concentrate (C1-INH), icatibant, and ecallantide. Recent consensus guidelines recommend that all HAE patients be considered for training in self-administration of therapy to treat acute attacks or to prevent attacks. Many patients have safely and successfully self-administered intravenous infusions of C1-INH, resulting in rapid treatment, shortened attacks, and improved quality of life. With proper patient selection and adequate guidance and followup, self-administered C1-INH therapy is a viable and favorable option to treat HAE, particularly in patients with a moderate to high frequency of attacks.