Anaphylaxis
Patricia Eaton, DO
Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellow
Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children
Anaphylaxis
• A serious allergic or hypersensitivity reaction
that is rapid in onset and may cause death
Diagnostic Criteria
• Acute onset
• Skin and/or mucosal tissue PLUS
– Respiratory compromise
OR
– Reduced blood pressure or signs of end-organ
dysfunction
• Two or more of the following occurring rapidly after
exposure to a LIKELY allergen
– Skin/mucosal involvement
– Respiratory compromise
– Reduced BP or associated signs
– Persistent gastrointestinal symptoms
• Reduced BP after exposure to a KNOWN allergen
Fatal Anaphylaxis
• Death usually from asphyxiation due to upper
or lower airway obstruction or from
cardiovascular collapse
• Time from onset of symptoms to respiratory
or cardiac arrest
– 5 minutes for iatrogenic causes
– 15 minutes in stinging insect venom
– 30 minutes in food-induced
Initial Management
• Removal of inciting antigen if possible
• IM epinephrine
• Supine or semi-recumbent with lower extremities
elevated
• O2
• Airway management
– Marked stridor
– Edema of tongue/facial/neck tissues
– Respiratory arrest
• IVF
Epinephrine
• **The ONLY med that prevents/reverses obstruction
to airflow in upper and lower respiratory tracts AND
prevents cardiovascular collapse**
Epinephrine: mechanism of action
• Alpha-1 adrenergic agonist
– Vasoconstriction, increased peripheral
vascular resistance, decreased mucosal
edema
• Beta-1 adrenergic agonist
– Increased inotropy and chronotropy
• Beta-2 adrenergic agonist
– Bronchodilation and decreased release of
inflammatory mediators from mast cells
and basophils
Epinephrine: side effects
• Fight or Flight
• Anxiety
• Restlessness
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Palpitations
• Pallor
• Tremor
Epinephrine
• 1:1000
• 1mg/mL
• IM route preferred
• Mid-outer thigh
• Adults: 0.3-0.5mg
• Children: 0.01mg/kg
• May be repeated q5-15min
• Autoinjectors
– <25kg: 0.15mg
– >25kg: 0.3mg
Epinephrine
• The failure to administer epinephrine early
consistently contributes to anaphylaxis deaths
• In children, receiving epinephrine prior to
arrival in ED associated with lower risk of
hospitalization and shorter ED stay
Epinephrine
• NO contraindications
Adjunctive Agents
• Not intended as initial or sole treatment
• Do not relieve upper or lower respiratory tract
obstruction, hypotension or shock
• NOT lifesaving!
Adjunctive Agents
• H1 antihistamines
– Relieve itch and hives
– Onset 30-40 minutes
– Side effects: hypotension
– Benadryl
• Adults: 25-50mg IV
• Children: 1mg/kg
Adjunctive Agents
• H2 antihistamines
– Additional relief of hives
– Ranitidine
• Adults: 50mg
• Children: 1mg/kg
Adjunctive Agents
• Inhaled bronchodilators
– Albuterol
– DO NOT prevent or relieve mucosal edema in
upper airway or shock
Adjunctive Agents
• Glucocorticoids
– DO NOT relieve initial symptoms
– Onset several hours
• To prevent biphasic or protracted reactions
– Methylprednisolone 1-2mg/kg
Treatment Errors
• Failure to administer epinephrine promptly
• Overreliance on Benadryl, albuterol, steroids
Of patients with anaphylaxis who did not receive epi prior to EMS arrival,
only 12% were given epi by EMS
In total, only 41% of children with anaphylaxis received epi prior to arrival in ED
36% of patients with indication received epinephrine from EMS
41% Benadryl, 32% Albuterol, 14% O2, 5% IVF
mean time from arrival on scene to arrival in ED 28 minutes
69% of those that occurred at school received epi from school nurse
41% of those that were with parents were given epi
100% seen by physician prior to arriving in ED received epi
• 5yo male with history of asthma and peanut
allergy eats a cookie and shortly after
develops hives and vomits once. What is the
best first medication to administer?
• A. Benadryl
• B. Epinephrine 1:1000
• C. Steroids
• D. Albuterol
• E. Epinephrine 1:10,000
• What is the appropriate dose of Epinephrine
for this child?
• A. Epi 1:1000 IV 0.2mL
• B. Epi 1:1000 IM 0.2mL
• C. Epi 1:10,000 IM 2mL
• D. Epi 1:10,000 IV 0.2mL
• E. Epi 1:1000 IM 2mL
• What adjunct medications could you
consider?
• A. IVF
• B. Solu-Medrol
• C. Albuterol
• D. Benadryl
• E. All of the above
In Summary…
Thanks!

Anaphylaxis - Dr. Patty Eaton

  • 1.
    Anaphylaxis Patricia Eaton, DO PediatricEmergency Medicine Fellow Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children
  • 2.
    Anaphylaxis • A seriousallergic or hypersensitivity reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death
  • 3.
    Diagnostic Criteria • Acuteonset • Skin and/or mucosal tissue PLUS – Respiratory compromise OR – Reduced blood pressure or signs of end-organ dysfunction • Two or more of the following occurring rapidly after exposure to a LIKELY allergen – Skin/mucosal involvement – Respiratory compromise – Reduced BP or associated signs – Persistent gastrointestinal symptoms • Reduced BP after exposure to a KNOWN allergen
  • 5.
    Fatal Anaphylaxis • Deathusually from asphyxiation due to upper or lower airway obstruction or from cardiovascular collapse • Time from onset of symptoms to respiratory or cardiac arrest – 5 minutes for iatrogenic causes – 15 minutes in stinging insect venom – 30 minutes in food-induced
  • 6.
    Initial Management • Removalof inciting antigen if possible • IM epinephrine • Supine or semi-recumbent with lower extremities elevated • O2 • Airway management – Marked stridor – Edema of tongue/facial/neck tissues – Respiratory arrest • IVF
  • 7.
    Epinephrine • **The ONLYmed that prevents/reverses obstruction to airflow in upper and lower respiratory tracts AND prevents cardiovascular collapse**
  • 8.
    Epinephrine: mechanism ofaction • Alpha-1 adrenergic agonist – Vasoconstriction, increased peripheral vascular resistance, decreased mucosal edema • Beta-1 adrenergic agonist – Increased inotropy and chronotropy • Beta-2 adrenergic agonist – Bronchodilation and decreased release of inflammatory mediators from mast cells and basophils
  • 9.
    Epinephrine: side effects •Fight or Flight • Anxiety • Restlessness • Headache • Dizziness • Palpitations • Pallor • Tremor
  • 10.
    Epinephrine • 1:1000 • 1mg/mL •IM route preferred • Mid-outer thigh • Adults: 0.3-0.5mg • Children: 0.01mg/kg • May be repeated q5-15min • Autoinjectors – <25kg: 0.15mg – >25kg: 0.3mg
  • 11.
    Epinephrine • The failureto administer epinephrine early consistently contributes to anaphylaxis deaths • In children, receiving epinephrine prior to arrival in ED associated with lower risk of hospitalization and shorter ED stay
  • 12.
  • 13.
    Adjunctive Agents • Notintended as initial or sole treatment • Do not relieve upper or lower respiratory tract obstruction, hypotension or shock • NOT lifesaving!
  • 14.
    Adjunctive Agents • H1antihistamines – Relieve itch and hives – Onset 30-40 minutes – Side effects: hypotension – Benadryl • Adults: 25-50mg IV • Children: 1mg/kg
  • 15.
    Adjunctive Agents • H2antihistamines – Additional relief of hives – Ranitidine • Adults: 50mg • Children: 1mg/kg
  • 16.
    Adjunctive Agents • Inhaledbronchodilators – Albuterol – DO NOT prevent or relieve mucosal edema in upper airway or shock
  • 17.
    Adjunctive Agents • Glucocorticoids –DO NOT relieve initial symptoms – Onset several hours • To prevent biphasic or protracted reactions – Methylprednisolone 1-2mg/kg
  • 18.
    Treatment Errors • Failureto administer epinephrine promptly • Overreliance on Benadryl, albuterol, steroids
  • 19.
    Of patients withanaphylaxis who did not receive epi prior to EMS arrival, only 12% were given epi by EMS
  • 20.
    In total, only41% of children with anaphylaxis received epi prior to arrival in ED 36% of patients with indication received epinephrine from EMS 41% Benadryl, 32% Albuterol, 14% O2, 5% IVF mean time from arrival on scene to arrival in ED 28 minutes 69% of those that occurred at school received epi from school nurse 41% of those that were with parents were given epi 100% seen by physician prior to arriving in ED received epi
  • 21.
    • 5yo malewith history of asthma and peanut allergy eats a cookie and shortly after develops hives and vomits once. What is the best first medication to administer? • A. Benadryl • B. Epinephrine 1:1000 • C. Steroids • D. Albuterol • E. Epinephrine 1:10,000
  • 22.
    • What isthe appropriate dose of Epinephrine for this child? • A. Epi 1:1000 IV 0.2mL • B. Epi 1:1000 IM 0.2mL • C. Epi 1:10,000 IM 2mL • D. Epi 1:10,000 IV 0.2mL • E. Epi 1:1000 IM 2mL
  • 23.
    • What adjunctmedications could you consider? • A. IVF • B. Solu-Medrol • C. Albuterol • D. Benadryl • E. All of the above
  • 24.
  • 25.

Editor's Notes

  • #4 Minutes to several hours Generalized hives, pruritis, flushing, swollen lips/tongue/uvula (skin findings in up to 90% of episodes)…..periorbital edema, conjunctival swelling Dyspnea, wheeze/bronchospasm, stridor, hypoxemia (resp sx up to 70%)….nasal congestion, change in voice, sensation of throat swelling, SOB, cough Hypotonia/collapse, syncope, incontinence (CV sx up to 45%)….dizziness, tachycardia Crampy abdominal pain, vomiting (GI sx up to 45%)….nausea, diarrhea Systolic <90 or >30% decrease from baseline Some pts dont; fit criteria but still approp to administer epi (known history of near-fatal anaphylactic episode to peanuts, ate a peanut, now has hives and flushing)
  • #7 ABCs, monitor mentation, check skin mid-outer thigh Maximize perfusion of major organs 100% NRB Failed attempts at intubation may lead to complete airway obstrution and fatality. Emergency cricothyroidotomy may be required. 2 large bore Ivs Massive rapid fluid shifts (increased vascular permeability 35% of intravasc volume into extravasc space within minutes). Give IVF to pts with orthostasis, hypotension or incomplete response to IM epi. 20mL/kg NS over 5-10min. Continuous cardio pulm monitoring
  • #8 THE DRUG OF CHOICE FOR ANAPHYLAXIS!! Dec mucosal edema in upper airway
  • #10 In OD, IV route or rarely  ventricular arrythmia, angina, MI, pulmonary edema, sudden sharp increase in BP, intracranial hemorrhage Anaphylaxis alone can -> angina, MI, cardiac arrythmia
  • #11 More rapid increase in plasma and tissue concentrations vs SQ 12-36% require 2nd dose Flushing, diaphoresis, dyspnea or prior hx more likely to need 2nd dose
  • #12 Serious neurologic sequelae from HIE
  • #13 For use in anaphylaxis Caution: CV disease – although remember heart is primary organ target of anaphylaxis itself MAOI (blocks epi metabolism), TCA (prolongs epi duration of action) Higher risk of adverse effects: cocaine use, stimulants, recent intracranial surgery, aortic aneurysm, uncontrolled hyperthyroid or HTN
  • #14 Pts on betablockers may be refractory to tx with epi and can get hypotension and bradycardia…..consider glucagon
  • #15 Do not relieve resp tract obstruction (stridor, SOB, GI symptoms), hypotension or shock, do not inhibit mediator release from mast cells and basophils Cetirizine – less sedative
  • #20 Evaluated pre-hospital and EMS administration of epi 205 patients treated for allergy 98 anaphylaxis with indication for epinephrine Only 54% given epi by EMS or prior to EMS arrival Of those WITH anaphylaxis who did get epi prior to EMS arrival, only 12% were given epi by EMS 20% benadryl only 18% albuterol only 33% benadryl and albuterol 18% no treatment
  • #23 1:1000 0.2mL