When should I consider referring a patient with hereditary angioedema to a specialist for further management?

Consider referring a patient with hereditary angioedema to a specialist for further management if:

• They have recurrent or severe episodes of angioedema that require expert diagnosis and ongoing management.
• There is diagnostic uncertainty or need for specialist confirmation of hereditary angioedema.
• They require specialist advice on acute treatment options, prophylaxis, and patient education to prevent attacks and manage triggers.
• They have experienced anaphylaxis or severe allergic reactions related to angioedema, necessitating specialist allergy service involvement.

Referral should be to a specialist service with the skills and competencies to accurately investigate, diagnose, monitor, and provide ongoing management and education for hereditary angioedema.

This approach aligns with the general principle of referring patients with severe or complex allergic or angioedema conditions to specialist allergy services for comprehensive care.

Note: Although the provided guidelines do not explicitly mention hereditary angioedema referral criteria, the recommendation to refer patients with severe angioedema or anaphylaxis to specialist allergy services applies and is consistent with UK clinical practice.

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