Anaphylactic Reactions in Anesthesia and Intensive Care

Anaphylaxis to isosulfan blue dye during sentinel lymph node biopsy

“…Upon reexposure, the antigen binds to IgE receptors, forms a cross-linking complex, and sets into motion a cascading release of preformed mediators from these cells. These released mediators include tryptases, proteoglycans, histamine, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins, which produce a system complex of urticaria, tachycardia, increased mucus production, airway edema, vasodilatation, increased capillary permeability, bronchospasms, dysrhythmias, and cardiovascular collapse [11]. Initial treatment modalities should be targeted toward blood pressure management and airway support.…”

The diagnosis and management of anaphylaxis practice parameter: 2010 Update

“…The antibiotics most commonly implicated in reactions during this period are b-lactam antibiotics and vancomycin. 125 Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic selectively used for treatment of resistant organisms and for use in individuals with penicillin allergy. Administration, especially when it is rapid, may result in life-threatening, non-IgE-mediated anaphylaxis.…”

Anaphylactic Reactions to Neuromuscular Blocking Drugs: Are We Making the Correct Diagnosis?

“…A nesthesiologists administer a diversity of parenteral drugs in the perioperative period, including blood products and drugs, or manage patients during exposure to multiple foreign substances, all of which have the potential to produce a spectrum of adverse reactions (1). Allergic reactions are one type of an adverse reaction, and the most severe form is anaphylaxis (1).…”

“…Allergic reactions are one type of an adverse reaction, and the most severe form is anaphylaxis (1). Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening reaction that causes acute cardiovascular and/or pulmonary dysfunction in the host because of a broad spectrum of mediators that are released after repeated antigenic exposure in a previously sensitized individual (1).…”

“…Protamine is perhaps one of the only drugs that has been studied in a large series for the incidence of anaphylaxis (4,5). The drugs that present a potentially greater risk for perioperative anaphylaxis in high-risk patients are the polypeptides (1,4,5).…”