Angioedema is a distressing and unpleasant condition. Bradykinin-medi-ated angioedema, including the common ACE inhibitor induced and the rare hereditary (HAE) forms, is potentially life-threatening and difficult to treat. The spectrum of angioedema, particularly the bradykinin associated forms, is reviewed in this issue by Busse and Buckland (pp. 385-394) and new developments in treatment are reviewed by Xu et al. (pp. 395-405). In addition, we report a study by Saule et al. (pp. 475-482), accompanied by a commentary by Hilary Longhurst (pp. 380-382), which describes the potential benefit of progesterone in women with mainly HAE. This group identified over 50 women who had been given progesterone treatment and found a convincing improvement in the frequency and severity of attacks after being started on this hormonal therapy. Time for a double-blind placebo-controlled trial.
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