Hereditary angioedema first apparent in the ninth decade during treatment with ACE inhibitor.

BACKGROUND: Hereditary angioedema ordinarily manifests itself in childhood. The development of angioedema in this disease and as a side effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor treatment is caused by similar mechanisms.

METHODS: We report a case of female patient, diagnosed with hereditary angioedema at age 90, who experienced the first attack 8 years earlier during angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor use.

CONCLUSIONS: This patient presented with her first episode of hereditary angioedema at the oldest age ever reported. A careful family history, especially for angioedema, should be taken in patients of all ages before initiating treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor.