A Rare Case of Unilateral Tongue Edema with Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors.

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) are widely used for the treatment of multiple conditions such as hypertension, heart failure and chronic kidney disease. Angioedema is a rare but potentially fatal complication of ACEi use and unilateral tongue edema is a very rare presentation. We report a case of a 55-year-old man, with a history of hypertension, on enalapril for three years, who presented to the hospital with unilateral tongue swelling, without airway compromise. Other causes were excluded and the diagnosis of angioedema due to enalapril was established. The patient was discharged with discontinuation of ACEi with total resolution of symptoms and without relapse after several months. Although very rare, unilateral tongue swelling should be considered in the presentation of angioedema associated with ACEi. Tight surveillance is important to prevent fatal complications such as airway obstruction. ACEi discontinuation is crucial to avoid clinical relapse.

Os inibidores da enzima de conversão da angiotensina (iECAs) são amplamente usados no tratamento de várias patologias como a hipertensão arterial, insuficiência cardíaca e doença renal crónica. O angioedema é uma complicação rara mas potencialmente fatal desta medicação e o edema unilateral da língua é uma apresentação rara desta condição. Reportamos o caso de um homem de 55 anos com hipertensão, medicado há três anos com enalapril, que à admissão hospitalar apresentava edema unilateral da língua sem compromisso da via aérea. Outras etiologias foram excluídas, tendo-se assumido o diagnóstico de angioedema associado ao enalapril. Após suspensão do iECA os sintomas diminuíram progressivamente, sem recorrência do quadro após vários meses. Ainda que raro, o edema unilateral da língua deve ser considerado na apresentação do angioedema associado a iECA. É importante uma vigilância apertada para prevenir complicações fatais, tais como a obstrução da via aérea. A descontinuação do iECA é fundamental para evitar recidiva.

The Role of a Medical Intermediate Care Unit in the Management of Budd-Chiari Syndrome: Case Series.

Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) has a wide spectrum of presentations, from an asymptomatic status to acute liver failure (ALF). The therapeutic approach depends on disease severity and related etiology with patients with severe forms of presentation classically managed in intensive care units (ICUs). Here, we report a series of five BCS patients managed in a medical intermediate care unit (IntCU), with three of them presenting with acute liver injury. Progression to ALF was seen in three patients, two of whom died, with one being successfully submitted to liver transplantation. IntCUs allow a 24-h patient surveillance and a prompt management of BCS, with less economic impact when compared to ICUs. Mortality was related to the presence of associated comorbidities that limited therapeutic approach.