reaction.pdf

Resuscitation Council (UK)

EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

Members of the Working Group

Jasmeet Soar – Co-chair Working Group, Vice Chair Resuscitation Council (UK)

Richard Pumphrey – Co-chair Working Group, Royal College of Pathologists

Andrew Cant – Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

Sue Clarke – Anaphylaxis Campaign

Allison Corbett – British National Formulary

Peter Dawson – Royal College of Radiologists

Pamela Ewan – British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Bernard Foëx – College of Emergency Medicine

David Gabbott – Executive Committee Member Resuscitation Council (UK)

Matt Griffiths – Royal College of Nursing

Judith Hall – Royal College of Anaesthetists

Nigel Harper – Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain & Ireland

Fiona Jewkes – Royal College of General Practitioners, Joint Royal College
Ambulance Liaison Committee

Ian Maconochie – Executive Committee Member Resuscitation Council (UK)

Sarah Mitchell – Director Resuscitation Council UK

Shuaib Nasser – British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Jerry Nolan – Chair Resuscitation Council (UK)

George Rylance – Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

Aziz Sheikh – Resuscitation Council UK

David Joseph Unsworth – Royal College of Pathologists

David Warrell – Royal College of Physicians

Resuscitation Council (UK)

EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

Contents

Executive Summary

Summary of changes from previous guideline

Introduction

Anaphylaxis

Recognition of an anaphylactic reaction

Treatment of an anaphylactic reaction

Drugs and their delivery

Investigations

Discharge and follow-up

References

Acknowledgements

Appendices

1 The ABCDE approach

2 Choice of needle and technique

for intramuscular (IM) injection

3 Useful websites

4 Glossary of terms and abbreviations

5 Conflict of interest declaration

Resuscitation Council (UK)

EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

Executive summary

•

The UK incidence of anaphylactic reactions is increasing.

•

Patients who have an anaphylactic reaction have life-threatening airway and/or
breathing and/or circulation problems usually associated with skin and
mucosal changes.

•

Patients having an anaphylactic reaction should be recognised and treated
using the Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure (ABCDE)
approach.

•

Anaphylactic reactions are not easy to study with randomised controlled trials.
There are, however, systematic reviews of the available evidence and a wealth
of clinical experience to help formulate guidelines.

•

The exact treatment will depend on the patient’s location, the equipment and
drugs available, and the skills of those treating the anaphylactic reaction.

•

Early treatment with intramuscular adrenaline is the treatment of choice for
patients having an anaphylactic reaction.

•

Despite previous guidelines, there is still confusion about the indications, dose
and route of adrenaline.

•

Intravenous adrenaline must only be used in certain specialist settings and
only by those skilled and experienced in its use.

•

All those who are suspected of having had an anaphylactic reaction should be
referred to a specialist in allergy.

•

Individuals who are at high risk of an anaphylactic reaction should carry an
adrenaline auto-injector and receive training and support in its use.

•

There is a need for further research about the diagnosis, treatment and
prevention of anaphylactic reactions.

Resuscitation Council (UK)

EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

Summary of changes from previous guideline

This guideline replaces the previous guideline from the Resuscitation Council (UK):

The emergency medical treatment of anaphylactic reactions for first medical
responders and for community nurses (originally published July 1999, revised
January 2002, May 2005).

•

The recognition and treatment of an anaphylactic reaction has been simplified.

•

The use of an Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure (ABCDE)*
approach to recognise and treat an anaphylactic reaction has been introduced.

•

The early use of intramuscular adrenaline by most rescuers to treat an
anaphylactic reaction is emphasized.

•

The use of intravenous adrenaline to treat an anaphylactic reaction is clarified.
It must only be used by those skilled and experienced in its use in certain
specialist settings.

•

The age ranges and doses for adrenaline, hydrocortisone and chlorphenamine
have been simplified.

*See Appendix 1 for more information about the ABCDE approach.

Resuscitation Council (UK)

EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

1. Introduction

1.1 Purpose of this guideline

The UK incidence of anaphylactic reactions is rising.

Despite previous guidelines,

there is confusion about the diagnosis, treatment, investigation and follow-up of
patients who have an anaphylactic reaction.

3-5

This guideline replaces the previous guidance from the Resuscitation Council UK:

The emergency medical treatment of anaphylactic reactions for first medical
responders and for community nurses (originally published July 1999, revised
January 2002, May 2005).

This guideline gives:

•

An updated consensus about the recognition and treatment of anaphylactic
reactions.

•

A greater focus on the treatments that a patient having an anaphylactic
reaction should receive. There is less emphasis on specifying treatments
according to which specific groups of healthcare providers should give them.

•

Recommendations for treatment that are simple to learn and easy to
implement, and that will be appropriate for most anaphylactic reactions.

There are no randomised controlled clinical trials in humans providing unequivocal
evidence for the treatment of anaphylactic reactions; moreover, such evidence is
unlikely to be forthcoming in the near future. Nonetheless, there is a wealth of
experience and systematic reviews of the limited evidence that can be used as a
resource.

This guideline will not cover every possible scenario involving an anaphylactic
reaction; the guidance has been written to be as simple as possible to enable
improved teaching, learning and implementation. Improved implementation should
benefit more patients who have an anaphylactic reaction.

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EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

1.2 Scope of this guideline

This guideline is for healthcare providers who are expected to deal with an
anaphylactic reaction during their usual clinical role (e.g., doctors, nurses,
paramedics) working in the hospital or out-of-hospital setting. There is considerable
variation and overlap between the skills and knowledge of different healthcare
providers who are expected to treat an anaphylactic reaction. We have therefore
deliberately not developed guidelines for specific groups of healthcare provider.

Individuals who are involved in resuscitation regularly are more likely to have
advanced resuscitation skills than those who are not. This guideline does not
expect individuals to obtain intravenous access in an emergency if this is not part of
their usual role. Rather, individuals should use skills that they know and use
regularly. This will make it more likely that these skills are used effectively on the
rare occasions when they are needed to treat an anaphylactic reaction. Any extra
skills specifically for the treatment of a patient with an anaphylactic reaction should
be reasonably easy to learn, remember and implement (e.g., intramuscular (IM)
injection of adrenaline).

The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain & Ireland and the British Society
for Allergy and Clinical Immunology have published specific guidance for the
treatment of anaphylactic reactions associated with anaesthesia (

www.aagbi.org

and

www.bsaci.org

There is also specific guidance for managing medicines in schools, nurseries and
similar settings (

www.allergyinschools.org.uk

and

www.medicalconditionsatschool.org.uk

7 8

The treatment of a patient having an anaphylactic reaction in any setting is the same
for children and adults.

Any differences will be highlighted.

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EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

1.3 Key points

Treatment of an anaphylactic reaction should be based on general life support
principles:

•

Use the Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure (ABCDE*)
approach to recognise and treat problems.

•

Call for help early.

•

Treat the greatest threat to life first.

•

Initial treatments should not be delayed by the lack of a complete history or
definite diagnosis.

Patients having an anaphylactic reaction in any setting should expect the following
as a minimum:

•

Recognition that they are seriously unwell.

•

An early call for help.

•

Initial assessment and treatments based on an ABCDE* approach.

•

Adrenaline therapy if indicated.

•

Investigation and follow-up by an allergy specialist.

*See Appendix 1 for more information about the ABCDE approach.

1.4 Methods

Organisations involved in the previous guidelines nominated individuals for the
Working Group. The co-chairs (appointed by the Executive Committee of the
Resuscitation Council UK) identified the key issues that needed to be addressed
based on review of the previous guidelines and a database of frequently asked
questions and comments.

The group met in January and November 2007. Draft

versions of the document were discussed within the group by email. Experts from
outside the group were consulted for specific issues.

A draft version of the guideline was made available for comment on the
Resuscitation Council (UK) website (

www.resus.org.uk

) between 25

September

and 4

November 2007. The document was accessed 15,432 times in this period.

The feedback was reviewed at the November working group meeting and the
document updated. This guideline was made available on the Resuscitation Council
(UK) website in January 2008.

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EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

2. Anaphylaxis

2.1 Definition of anaphylaxis

A precise definition of anaphylaxis is not important for the emergency treatment of
an anaphylactic reaction. There is no universally agreed definition. The European
Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology Nomenclature Committee
proposed the following broad definition:

Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening, generalised or systemic
hypersensitivity reaction.

This is characterised by rapidly developing life-threatening airway and/or breathing
and/or circulation problems usually associated with skin and mucosal changes.

2.2 Epidemiology

One of the problems is that anaphylaxis is not always recognised, so certain UK
studies may underestimate the incidence. Also, as the criteria for inclusion vary in
different studies and countries, a picture has to be built up from different sources.

Incidence rate

The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Epidemiology of
Anaphylaxis Working group summarised the findings from a number of important
international epidemiological studies and concluded that the overall frequency of
episodes of anaphylaxis using current data lies between 30 and 950 cases per
100,000 persons per year.

Lifetime prevalence

The same group provided data indicating a lifetime prevalence of between 50 and
2000 episodes per 100,000 persons or 0.05-2.0%.

More recent UK primary care

data concur, indicating a lifetime age-standardised prevalence of a recorded
diagnosis of anaphylaxis of 75.5 per 100,000 in 2005.

Calculations based on

these data indicate that approximately 1 in 1,333 of the English population have
experienced anaphylaxis at some point in their lives.

Other data

A retrospective study of Emergency department attendances, identifying only the
most severe cases, and relating this number to the population served, estimated
that approximately 1 in 3,500 patients had an episode of anaphylaxis during the
study period 1993-4.

Taking specific causes of anaphylaxis where prevalence and

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EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

severity data are available, there are 1 million cases of venom anaphylaxis and 0.4
million cases of nut anaphylaxis up to age 44 years worldwide.

Triggers

Anaphylaxis can be triggered by any of a very broad range of triggers, but those
most commonly identified include food, drugs and venom.

The relative importance

of these varies very considerably with age, with food being particularly important in
children and medicinal products being much more common triggers in older
people.

Virtually any food or class of drug can be implicated, although the classes

of foods and drugs responsible for the majority of reactions are well described.

foods, nuts are the most common cause; muscle relaxants, antibiotics, NSAIDs and
aspirin are the most commonly implicated drugs (Table 1). It is important to note
that, in many cases, no cause can be identified. A significant number of cases of
anaphylaxis are idiopathic (non-IgE mediated).

Stings

29 wasp, 4 bee, 14 unknown

Nuts

10 peanut, 6 walnut, 2 almond, 2 brazil, 1 hazel,
11 mixed or unknown

Food

5 milk, 2 fish, 2 chickpea, 2 crustacean, 1 banana,
1 snail

Food possible cause

5 during meal, 3 milk, 3 nut, 1 each - fish, yeast,
sherbet, nectarine, grape, strawberry

Antibiotics

11 penicillin, 12 cephalosporin, 2 amphotericin,
1 ciprofloxacin, 1 vancomycin

Anaesthetic drugs

19 suxamethonium, 7 vecuronium, 6 atracurium,
7 at induction

Other drugs

6 NSAID, 3 ACEI, 5 gelatins, 2 protamine,
2 vitamin K, 1 each - etoposide, acetazolamide,
pethidine, local anaesthetic, diamorphine,
streptokinase

Contrast media

9 iodinated, 1 technetium, 1 fluorescein

Other

1 latex, 1 hair dye, 1 hydatid

Table 1. Suspected triggers for fatal anaphylactic reactions in the UK
between 1992-2001

NSAID – Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
ACEI – Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor

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EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

Mortality

The overall prognosis of anaphylaxis is good, with a case fatality ratio of less than
1% reported in most population-based studies.

18-20

Risk of death is, however,

increased in those with pre-existing asthma, particularly if the asthma is poorly
controlled or in those asthmatics who fail to use, or delay treatment with,
adrenaline.

There are approximately 20 anaphylaxis deaths reported each year in

the UK, although this may be a substantial under-estimate.

Risk of recurrence

The risk of an individual suffering recurrent anaphylactic reaction appears to be
quite substantial, being estimated at approximately 1 in 12 per year.

Trends over time

There are very limited data on trends in anaphylaxis internationally, but data indicate
a dramatic increase in the rate of hospital admissions for anaphylaxis, this
increasing from 0.5 to 3.6 admissions per 100,000 between 1990 and 2004: an
increase of 700% (Figure 1).

23 24

Figure 1. Hospital admission rates for anaphylaxis, 1990 to 2004, England

ICD – International Classification of Diseases (

www.who.int/classifications/icd/en

)

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EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

3. Recognition of an anaphylactic reaction

A diagnosis of anaphylactic reaction is likely if a patient who is exposed to a trigger
(allergen) develops a sudden illness (usually within minutes of exposure) with
rapidly progressing skin changes and life-threatening airway and/or breathing and/or
circulation problems. The reaction is usually unexpected.

The lack of any consistent clinical manifestation and a range of possible
presentations cause diagnostic difficulty. Many patients with a genuine anaphylactic
reaction are not given the correct treatment.

Patients have been given injections

of adrenaline inappropriately for allergic reactions just involving the skin, or for
vasovagal reactions or panic attacks.

Diagnostic problems have arisen particularly

in children. Guidelines for the treatment of an anaphylactic reaction must therefore
take into account some inevitable diagnostic errors, with an emphasis on the need
for safety.

A single set of criteria will not identify all anaphylactic reactions. There is a range of
signs and symptoms, none of which are entirely specific for an anaphylactic
reaction; however, certain combinations of signs make the diagnosis of an
anaphylactic reaction more likely.

When recognising and treating any acutely ill

patient, a rational ABCDE approach must be followed and life-threatening problems
treated as they are recognised (see Appendix 1 for more information about the
ABCDE approach).

3.1 Anaphylaxis is likely when all of the following 3 criteria are met:

•

Sudden onset and rapid progression of symptoms

•

Life-threatening Airway and/or Breathing and/or Circulation problems

•

Skin and/or mucosal changes (flushing, urticaria, angioedema)

The following supports the diagnosis:

•

Exposure to a known allergen for the patient

Remember:

•

Skin or mucosal changes alone are not a sign of an anaphylactic reaction

•

Skin and mucosal changes can be subtle or absent in up to 20% of

reactions (some patients can have only a decrease in blood pressure,
i.e., a Circulation problem)

•

There can also be gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g. vomiting, abdominal
pain, incontinence)

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EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

Confusion arises because some patients have systemic allergic reactions that are
less severe. For example, generalised urticaria,

angioedema, and rhinitis would not

be described as an anaphylactic reaction,

because the life-threatening features –- an

airway problem, respiratory difficulty (breathing problem) and hypotension
(circulation problem) –- are not present.

3.2 Sudden onset and rapid progression of symptoms

•

The patient will feel and look unwell.

•

Most reactions occur over several minutes. Rarely, reactions may be slower

in onset.

•

The time of onset of an anaphylactic reaction depends on the type of trigger.

An intravenous trigger will cause a more rapid onset of reaction than stings
which, in turn, tend to cause a more rapid onset than orally ingested triggers
(Figure 2).

•

The patient is usually anxious and can experience a “sense of impending

doom”.

3.3 Life-threatening Airway and/or Breathing and/or Circulation
problems

Patients can have either an A or B or C problem or any combination. Use the
ABCDE approach to recognise these.

Airway problems:

•

Airway swelling, e.g., throat and tongue swelling (pharyngeal/laryngeal

oedema). The patient has difficulty in breathing and swallowing and feels
that the throat is closing up.

•

Hoarse voice.

•

Stridor – this is a high-pitched inspiratory noise caused by upper airway

obstruction.

Breathing problems:

•

Shortness of breath – increased respiratory rate.

•

Wheeze.

•

Patient becoming tired.

•

Confusion caused by hypoxia.

•

Cyanosis (appears blue) – this is usually a late sign.

•

Respiratory arrest.

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EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

There is a range of presentation from anaphylaxis, through anaphylaxis with
predominantly asthmatic features, to a pure acute asthma attack with no other
features of anaphylaxis. Life-threatening asthma with no features of anaphylaxis
can be triggered by food allergy.

Anaphylaxis can present as a primary respiratory

arrest.

15 25

Circulation problems:

•

Signs of shock – pale, clammy.

•

Increased pulse rate (tachycardia).

•

Low blood pressure (hypotension) – feeling faint (dizziness), collapse.

•

Decreased conscious level or loss of consciousness.

•

Anaphylaxis can cause myocardial ischaemia and electrocardiograph (ECG)

changes even in individuals with normal coronary arteries.

•

Cardiac arrest.

Circulation problems (often referred to as anaphylactic shock) can be caused by
direct myocardial depression, vasodilation and capillary leak, and loss of fluid from
the circulation. Bradycardia (a slow pulse) is usually a late feature, often preceding
cardiac arrest.

The circulatory effects do not respond, or respond only transiently, to simple
measures such as lying the patient down and raising the legs. Patients with
anaphylaxis can deteriorate if made to sit up or stand up.

The above Airway, Breathing and Circulation problems can all alter the patient’s
neurological status (

Disability problems

) because of decreased brain perfusion.

There may be confusion, agitation and loss of consciousness.

Patients can also have gastro-intestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, incontinence,
vomiting).

3.4 Skin and/or mucosal changes

These should be assessed as part of the

Exposure

when using the ABCDE

approach.

•

They are often the first feature and present in over 80% of anaphylactic

reactions.

•

They can be subtle or dramatic.

•

There may be just skin, just mucosal, or both skin and mucosal changes.

•

There may be erythema – a patchy, or generalised, red rash.

•

There may be urticaria (also called hives, nettle rash, weals or welts), which

can appear anywhere on the body. The weals may be pale, pink or red, and
may look like nettle stings. They can be different shapes and sizes, and are
often surrounded by a red flare. They are usually itchy.

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EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

•

Angioedema is similar to urticaria but involves swelling of deeper tissues,

most commonly in the eyelids and lips, and sometimes in the mouth and
throat.

Although skin changes can be worrying or distressing for patients and those treating
them, skin changes without life-threatening airway, breathing or circulation problems
do not signify an anaphylactic reaction. Reassuringly, most patients who have skin
changes caused by allergy do not go on to develop an anaphylactic reaction.

3.5 Differential diagnosis

Life-threatening conditions:

•

Sometimes an anaphylactic reaction can present with symptoms and signs

that are very similar to life-threatening asthma – this is commonest in
children.

•

A low blood pressure (or normal in children) with a petechial or purpuric rash

can be a sign of septic shock.

•

Seek help early if there are any doubts about the diagnosis and treatment.

•

Following an ABCDE approach will help with treating the differential

diagnoses.

Non life-threatening conditions (these usually respond to simple
measures):

•

Faint (vasovagal episode).

•

Panic attack.

•

Breath-holding episode in child.

•

Idiopathic (non-allergic) urticaria or angioedema.

There can be confusion between an anaphylactic reaction and a panic attack.
Victims of previous anaphylaxis may be particularly prone to panic attacks if they
think they have been re-exposed to the allergen that caused a previous problem.
The sense of impending doom and breathlessness leading to hyperventilation are
symptoms that resemble anaphylaxis in some ways. While there is no hypotension,
pallor, wheeze, or urticarial rash or swelling, there may sometimes be flushing or
blotchy skin associated with anxiety adding to the diagnostic difficulty. Diagnostic
difficulty may also occur with vasovagal attacks after immunisation procedures, but
the absence of rash, breathing difficulties, and swelling are useful distinguishing
features, as is the slow pulse of a vasovagal attack compared with the rapid pulse of
a severe anaphylactic episode. Fainting will usually respond to lying the patient
down and raising the legs.

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EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

4. Treatment of an anaphylactic reaction

As the diagnosis of anaphylaxis is not always obvious, all those who treat
anaphylaxis must have a systematic approach to the sick patient. In general, the
clinical signs of critical illness are similar whatever the underlying process because
they reflect failing respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological systems, i.e.,
ABCDE problems. Use an ABCDE approach to recognise and treat an anaphylactic
reaction. Treat life-threatening problems as you find them. The basic principles of
treatment are the same for all age groups.

4.1 The specific treatment of an anaphylactic reaction
depends

on:

Location.

Training and skills of rescuers.

Number of responders.

Equipment and drugs available.

Location

Treating a patient with anaphylaxis in the community will not be the same as in an
acute hospital. Out of hospital, an ambulance must be called early and the patient
transported to an emergency department.

Training of rescuers

All clinical staff should be able to call for help and initiate treatment in a patient with
an anaphylactic reaction. Rescuers must use the skills for which they are trained.
Clinical staff who give parenteral medications should have initial training and regular
updates in dealing with anaphylactic reactions. The Health Protection Agency
recommends that staff who give immunisations should have annual updates.

Number of responders

The single responder must always ensure that help is coming. If there are several
rescuers, several actions can be undertaken simultaneously.

Equipment and drugs available

Resuscitation equipment and drugs to help with the rapid resuscitation of a patient
with an anaphylactic reaction must be immediately available in all clinical settings.
Clinical staff should be familiar with the equipment and drugs they have available
and should check them regularly.

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EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

All patients who have had an anaphylactic reaction should be monitored (e.g., by
ambulance crew, in the emergency department etc,) as soon as possible. Minimal
monitoring includes pulse oximetry, non-invasive blood pressure and 3-lead ECG.
Monitoring must be supervised by an individual who is skilled at interpreting and
responding to any changes.

4.2 Patients having an anaphylactic reaction in any setting

should expect the following as a minimum:

Recognition that they are seriously unwell.

An early call for help.

Initial assessment and treatments based on an ABCDE approach.

Adrenaline therapy if indicated.

Investigation and follow-up by an allergy specialist.

4.3 Patient positioning

All patients should be placed in a comfortable position. The following factors should
be considered:

•

Patients with Airway and Breathing problems may prefer to sit up as this will

make breathing easier.

•

Lying flat with or without leg elevation is helpful for patients with a low blood

pressure (Circulation problem). If the patient feels faint, do not sit or stand
them up - this can cause cardiac arrest.

•

Patients who are breathing and unconscious should be placed on their side

(recovery position).

•

Pregnant patients should lie on their left side to prevent caval compression.

4.4 Remove the trigger if possible

Removing the trigger for an anaphylactic reaction is not always possible.

•

Stop any drug suspected of causing an anaphylactic reaction (e.g., stop

intravenous infusion of a gelatin solution or antibiotic).

•

Remove the stinger after a bee sting. Early removal is more important than

the method of removal.

•

After food-induced anaphylaxis, attempts to make the patient vomit are not

recommended.

•

Do not delay definitive treatment if removing the trigger is not feasible.

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EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

When skills and equipment available:

•

Establish airway

•

High flow oxygen

Monitor:

•

IV fluid challenge

•

Pulse oximetry

•

Chlorphenamine

•

ECG

•

Hydrocortisone

•

Blood pressure

Life-threatening problems:

Airway:

swelling, hoarseness, stridor

Breathing:

rapid breathing, wheeze, fatigue, cyanosis, SpO

< 92%, confusion

Circulation:

pale, clammy, low blood pressure, faintness, drowsy/coma

IV fluid challenge:

Adult - 500 – 1000 mL
Child - crystalloid 20 mL/kg

Stop IV colloid
if this might be the cause
of anaphylaxis

Chlorphenamine

Hydrocortisone

(IM or slow IV)

Adult or child more than 12 years

10 mg

200 mg

Child 6 - 12 years

5 mg

100 mg

Child 6 months to 6 years

2.5 mg

50 mg

Child less than 6 months

250 micrograms/kg

25 mg

Adrenaline

(give IM unless experienced with IV adrenaline)

IM doses of 1:1000 adrenaline (repeat after 5 min if no better)

•

Adult

500 micrograms IM (0.5 mL)

•

Child more than 12 years: 500 micrograms IM (0.5 mL)

•

Child 6 -12 years:

300 micrograms IM (0.3 mL)

•

Child less than 6 years:

150 micrograms IM (0.15 mL)

Adrenaline IV to be given

only by experienced specialists

Titrate: Adults 50 micrograms; Children 1 microgram/kg

Figure 3. Anaphylaxis algorithm

Adrenaline

•

Call for help

•

Lie patient flat

•

Raise patient’s legs

Diagnosis

- look for:

•

Acute onset of illness

•

Life-threatening Airway and/or Breathing

and/or

Circulation

problems

•

And usually skin changes

irway,

reathing,

irculation,

isability,

xposure

Anaphylactic reaction?

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EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

5. Drugs and their delivery

5.1 Adrenaline (Epinephrine)

Adrenaline is the most important drug for the treatment of an anaphylactic
reaction.

Although there are no randomised controlled trials, adrenaline is a

logical treatment

and there is consistent anecdotal evidence supporting its use to

ease breathing difficulty and restore adequate cardiac output. As an alpha-receptor
agonist, it reverses peripheral vasodilation and reduces oedema. Its beta-receptor
activity dilates the bronchial airways, increases the force of myocardial contraction,
and suppresses histamine and leukotriene release. There are also beta-2
adrenergic receptors on mast cells

that inhibit activation

, and so early adrenaline

attenuates the severity of IgE-mediated allergic reactions. Adrenaline seems to
work best when given early after the onset of the reaction

but it is not without risk,

particularly when given intravenously.

Adverse effects are extremely rare with

correct doses injected intramuscularly (IM). Sometimes there has been uncertainty
about whether complications (e.g., myocardial ischaemia) have been caused by the
allergen itself or by the adrenaline given to treat it.

Difficulties can arise if the clinical picture is evolving when the patient is first
assessed. Adrenaline should be given

to all patients with life-threatening features.

these features are absent but there are other features of a systemic

allergic

reaction, the patient needs careful observation and symptomatic treatment using the
ABCDE approach. Adrenaline must be readily available in clinical areas where an
anaphylactic reaction could occur.

5.2 Intramuscular (IM) Adrenaline

The intramuscular (IM) route is the best for most individuals who have to give
adrenaline to treat an anaphylactic reaction. Monitor the patient as soon as possible
(pulse, blood pressure, ECG, pulse oximetry). This will help monitor the response to
adrenaline. The IM route has several benefits:

•

There is a greater margin of safety.

•

It does not require intravenous access.

•

The IM route is easier to learn.

The best site for IM injection is the anterolateral aspect of the middle third of the
thigh.

The needle used for injection needs to be sufficiently long to ensure that the

adrenaline is injected into muscle (See Appendix

for guidance regarding needle

length and IM injection technique).

Resuscitation Council (UK)

EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

The subcutaneous or inhaled routes for adrenaline are not recommended for the
treatment of an anaphylactic reaction because they are less effective.

43 45

Adrenaline IM dose – adults

0.5 mg IM (= 500 micrograms = 0.5 mL of 1:1000) adrenaline

Adrenaline IM dose – children

The scientific basis for the recommended doses is weak. The recommended doses
are based on what is considered to be safe and practical to draw up and inject in an
emergency.

(The equivalent volume of 1:1000 adrenaline is shown in brackets)

> 12 years:

500 micrograms IM (0.5 mL) i.e. same as adult dose

300 micrograms (0.3 mL) if child is small or prepubertal

> 6 – 12 years:

300 micrograms IM (0.3 mL)

> 6 months – 6 years:

150 micrograms IM (0.15 mL)

< 6 months:

150 micrograms IM (0.15 mL)

Repeat the IM adrenaline dose if there is no improvement in the patient’s condition.
Further doses can be given at about 5-minute intervals according to the patient’s
response.

5.3 Intravenous (IV) adrenaline (for specialist use only)

The intramuscular (IM) route for adrenaline is the route of choice for most
healthcare providers (see section 5.2)

There is a much greater risk of causing harmful side effects by inappropriate
dosage or misdiagnosis of anaphylaxis when using IV adrenaline.

This is

why the IM route is recommended for most healthcare providers.

This section on IV adrenaline only applies to those experienced in the use and
titration of vasopressors in their normal clinical practice (e.g., anaesthetists,
emergency physicians, intensive care doctors).

Many healthcare providers will have given IV adrenaline as part of resuscitating a
patient in cardiac arrest. This alone is insufficient experience to use IV adrenaline
for the treatment of an anaphylactic reaction. In patients with a spontaneous
circulation, intravenous adrenaline can cause life-threatening hypertension,
tachycardia, arrhythmias, and myocardial ischaemia.

Resuscitation Council (UK)

EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

If IV access is not available or not achieved rapidly, use the IM route for adrenaline.

Patients who are given IV adrenaline must be monitored – continuous ECG and
pulse oximetry and frequent non-invasive blood pressure measurements as a
minimum.

Patients who require repeated IM doses of adrenaline may benefit from IV
adrenaline. It is essential that these patients receive expert help early. If the patient
requires repeated IV bolus doses of adrenaline, start an adrenaline infusion.

FOR SPECIALIST USE ONLY

Ensure patient is monitored

Adrenaline IV bolus dose – adult:

Titrate IV adrenaline using 50 microgram boluses according to response.
If repeated adrenaline doses are needed, start an IV adrenaline infusion.

The pre-filled 10 mL syringe of 1:10,000 adrenaline contains 100 micrograms/mL.
A dose of 50 micrograms is 0.5 mL, which is the smallest dose that can be given
accurately.

Do not give the undiluted 1:1000 adrenaline concentration IV.

Adrenaline IV bolus dose – children:

IM adrenaline is the preferred route for children having an anaphylactic reaction.
The IV route is recommended only in specialist paediatric settings by those familiar
with its use (e.g., paediatric anaesthetists, paediatric emergency physicians,
paediatric intensivists) and if the patient is monitored and IV access is already
available. There is no evidence on which to base a dose recommendation - the
dose is titrated according to response. A child may respond to a dose as small as
1 microgram/kg. This requires very careful dilution and checking to prevent dose
errors.

Adrenaline infusion

An infusion of adrenaline with the rate titrated according to response in the presence
of continued haemodynamic monitoring is an effective way of giving adrenaline
during anaphylaxis.

Use local guidelines for the preparation and infusion of

adrenaline.

FOR SPECIALIST USE ONLY

Resuscitation Council (UK)

EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

5.4 Adrenaline in special populations

Previous guidelines recommended adrenaline dose adjustments in certain
circumstances (e.g., in patients taking tricyclic antidepressants, the previous
recommendation was to give half the dose). The Working Group considered it
unhelpful to have caveats such as this in the setting of an acute anaphylactic
reaction. There is large inter-individual variability in the response to adrenaline. In
clinical practice, it is important to monitor the response; start with a safe dose and
give further doses if a greater response is needed, i.e., titrate the dose according to
effect.

Adrenaline can fail to reverse the clinical manifestation of an anaphylactic reaction,
especially when its use is delayed or in patients treated with beta-blockers.

The

decision to prescribe a beta-blocker to a patient at increased risk of an anaphylactic
reaction should be made only after assessment by an allergist and cardiologist.

50 51

5.5 Adrenaline auto-injectors

Auto-injectors are often given to patients at risk of anaphylaxis for their own use. At
the time of writing, there are only two doses of adrenaline auto-injector commonly
available: 0.15 and 0.3 mg. The more appropriate dose for an auto-injector should
be prescribed for individual patients by allergy specialists. Healthcare professionals
should be familiar with the use of the most commonly available auto-injector
devices. The dose recommendations for adrenaline in this guideline are intended
for healthcare providers treating an anaphylactic reaction.

If an adrenaline auto-injector is the only available adrenaline preparation when
treating anaphylaxis, healthcare providers should use it.

5.6 Oxygen (give as soon as available)

Initially, give the highest concentration of oxygen possible using a mask with an
oxygen reservoir. Ensure high flow oxygen (usually greater than 10 litres min

-1

) to

prevent collapse of the reservoir during inspiration. If the patient’s trachea is
intubated, ventilate the lungs with high concentration oxygen using a self-inflating
bag.

5.7 Fluids (give as soon as available)

Large volumes of fluid may leak from the patient’s circulation during an anaphylactic
reaction. There will also be vasodilation, a low blood pressure and signs of shock.
If there is intravenous access, infuse intravenous fluids immediately. Give a rapid IV
fluid challenge (20 mL/kg in a child or 500-1000 mL in an adult) and monitor the
response; give further doses as necessary. There is no evidence to support the use
of colloids over crystalloids in this setting. Consider colloid infusion as a cause in a
patient receiving a colloid at the time of onset of an anaphylactic reaction and stop

Resuscitation Council (UK)

EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

the infusion.

52 53

Hartmann’s solution or 0.9% saline are suitable fluids for initial

resuscitation. A large volume of fluid may be needed.

If intravenous access is delayed or impossible, the intra-osseous route can be used
for fluids or drugs when resuscitating children or adults, but only by healthcare
workers who are accustomed to do so.

Do not delay the administration of IM

adrenaline attempting intra-osseous access.

5.8 Antihistamines (after initial resuscitation)

Antihistamines are a second line treatment for an anaphylactic reaction. The
evidence to support their use is weak, but there are logical reasons for them.

Antihistamines (H

-antihistamine) may help counter histamine-mediated vasodilation

and bronchoconstriction. They may not help in reactions depending in part on other
mediators but they have the virtue of safety. Used alone, they are unlikely to be life-
saving in a true anaphylactic reaction. Inject chlorphenamine slowly intravenously
or intramuscularly.

The dose of chlorphenamine depends on age:

>12 years and adults:

10 mg IM or IV slowly

>6 – 12 years:

5 mg IM or IV slowly

>6 months – 6 years:

2.5 mg IM or IV slowly

<6 months:

250 micrograms/kg IM or IV slowly

There is little evidence to support the routine use of an H

-antihistamine (e.g.,

ranitidine, cimetidine) for the initial treatment of an anaphylactic reaction.

5.9 Steroids (give after initial resuscitation)

Corticosteroids may help prevent or shorten protracted reactions. In asthma, early
corticosteroid treatment is beneficial in adults and children.

57 58

There is little

evidence on which to base the optimum dose of hydrocortisone in anaphylaxis. In
hospital patients with asthma, higher doses of hydrocortisone do not seem to be
better than smaller doses.

Inject hydrocortisone slowly intravenously or intramuscularly, taking care to avoid
inducing further hypotension.

The dose of hydrocortisone for adults and children depends on age:

>12 years and adults:

200 mg IM or IV slowly

>6 – 12 years:

100 mg IM or IV slowly

>6 months – 6 years:

50 mg IM or IV slowly

<6 months:

25 mg IM or IV slowly

Resuscitation Council (UK)

EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

5.10 Other drugs

Bronchodilators

The presenting symptoms and signs of a severe anaphylactic reaction and life-
threatening asthma can be the same. If the patient has asthma-like features alone,
follow the British Thoracic Society – SIGN asthma guidelines
(

www.brit-thoracic.org.uk

). As well as the drugs listed above, consider further

bronchodilator therapy with salbutamol (inhaled or IV), ipratropium (inhaled),
aminophylline (IV) or magnesium (IV). Remember that intravenous magnesium is a
vasodilator and can cause hot flushes and make hypotension worse.

Cardiac drugs

Adrenaline remains the first line vasopressor for the treatment of anaphylactic
reactions. There are animal studies and case reports describing the use of other
vasopressors and inotropes (noradrenaline, vasopressin, metaraminol and
glucagon) when initial resuscitation with adrenaline and fluids has not been
successful.

60-64

Only use these drugs in specialist settings (e.g., intensive care

units) where there is experience in their use. Glucagon can be useful to treat an
anaphylactic reaction in a patient taking a beta-blocker.

Some patients develop

severe bradycardia after an anaphylactic reaction. Consider IV atropine to treat
this.

37 48

Resuscitation Council (UK)

EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

6. Investigations

Undertake the usual investigations appropriate for a medical emergency, e.g., 12-
lead ECG, chest X-ray, urea and electrolytes, arterial blood gases etc.

6.1 Mast cell tryptase

The specific test to help confirm a diagnosis of an anaphylactic reaction is
measurement of mast cell tryptase. Tryptase is the major protein component of
mast cell secretory granules. In anaphylaxis, mast cell degranulation leads to
markedly increased blood tryptase concentrations (Figure 4). Tryptase levels are
useful in the follow-up of suspected anaphylactic reactions, not in the initial
recognition and treatment: measuring tryptase levels must not delay initial
resuscitation. Tryptase concentrations in the blood may not increase significantly
until 30 minutes or more after the onset of symptoms, and peak 1-2 hours after
onset.

The half-life of tryptase is short (approximately 2 hours), and

concentrations may be back to normal within 6-8 hours, so timing of any blood
samples is very important.

Figure 4. Suggested time course for the appearance of tryptase
in serum or plasma during systemic anaphylaxis.

Reproduced and adapted with permission from Elsevier.

Resuscitation Council (UK)

EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

6.2 Sample timing

The time of onset of the anaphylactic reaction is the time when symptoms were first
noticed. It is important that this time is accurately recorded.

a) Minimum: one sample at 1-2 hours after the start of symptoms.

b) Ideally: Three

timed

samples:

1) Initial sample as soon as feasible after resuscitation has started – do not

delay resuscitation to take sample.

2) Second sample at 1-2 hours after the start of symptoms
3) Third sample either at 24 hours or in convalescence (for example in a follow-

up allergy clinic). This provides baseline tryptase levels - some individuals
have an elevated baseline level.

Serial samples have better specificity and sensitivity than a single measurement in
the confirmation of anaphylaxis.

6.3 Sample requirements

1) Use a serum or clotted blood (‘liver function test’ bottle) sample. Some

laboratories ask for a plasma sample – either plasma or serum samples can be
tested.

Record the timing of each sample accurately

on the sample bottle and

request form. State on the request form the time of onset of the reaction
(symptoms). Record on the sample bottle the number of minutes or hours after
the onset of symptoms the sample was taken

3) As little as 0.5 mL of sample can be enough (children), but 5 mL (adults) is

better.

4) Optimally, store the serum from spun samples frozen (-20

C) in the local

laboratory, before dispatch to a reference laboratory.

5) Tryptase is very stable (50% of tryptase is still detectable after 4 days at room

temperature

), so even samples stored at room temperature over a weekend

can give useful, though sub-optimal, information.

6) Consult your local laboratory if you have any queries.

Resuscitation Council (UK)

EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

7. Discharge and follow-up

7.1 Discharge from hospital

Patients who have had a suspected anaphylactic reaction (i.e. an airway, breathing
or circulation (ABC) problem) should be treated and then observed for at least 6
hours in a clinical area with facilities for treating life-threatening ABC problems.

They should then be reviewed by a senior clinician and a decision made about the
need for further treatment or a longer period of observation.

Patients with a good response to initial treatment should be warned of the possibility
of an early recurrence of symptoms and in some circumstances should be kept
under observation for up to 24 hours.

This caution is particularly applicable to:

•

Severe reactions with slow onset caused by idiopathic anaphylaxis.

•

Reactions in individuals with severe asthma or with a severe asthmatic
component.

•

Reactions with the possibility of continuing absorption of allergen.

•

Patients with a previous history of biphasic reactions.

•

Patients presenting in the evening or at night, or those who may not be able to
respond to any deterioration.

•

Patients in areas where access to emergency care is difficult.

The exact incidence of biphasic reactions is unknown. Although studies quote an
incidence of 1-20%, it is not clear whether all the patients actually had an
anaphylactic reaction and whether the initial treatment was appropriate.

There is

no reliable way of predicting who will have a biphasic reaction. It is therefore
important that decisions about discharge are made for each patient by an
experienced clinician.

Before discharge from hospital all patients must be:

•

Reviewed by a senior clinician.

•

Given clear instructions to return to hospital if symptoms return.

•

Considered for anti-histamines and oral steroid therapy for up to 3 days. This
is helpful for treatment of urticaria

and may decrease the chance of further

reaction.

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EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

•

Considered for an adrenaline auto-injector (see below), or given a
replacement.

•

Have a plan for follow-up, including contact with the patient’s general
practitioner.

7.2 Record keeping

To help confirm the diagnosis of anaphylaxis and identify the most likely trigger, it is
useful for the allergy clinic to have:

•

A description of the reaction with circumstances and timings to help identify
potential triggers.

•

A list of administered treatments.

•

Copies of relevant patient records, e.g., ambulance charts, emergency
department records, observation charts, anaesthetic charts.

•

Results of any investigations already completed, including the timings of mast
cell tryptase samples.

7.3 Reporting of reaction

Adverse drug reactions that include an anaphylactic reaction should be reported to
the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) using the yellow
card scheme

(www.mhra.gov.uk

). The British National Formulary (BNF) includes

copies of the Yellow Card at the back of each edition.

Discuss all cases of fatal anaphylactic reaction with the coroner.

7.4 When to prescribe an adrenaline auto-injector

Emergency departments should liaise with their nearest specialist allergy service to
devise a local guideline for which patients should be given an adrenaline auto-
injector on discharge.

An auto-injector is an appropriate treatment for patients at increased risk of an
idiopathic anaphylactic reaction, or for anyone at continued high risk of reaction e.g.,
to triggers such as venom stings and food-induced reactions (unless easy to avoid).
An auto-injector is not usually necessary for patients who have suffered drug-
induced anaphylaxis, unless it is difficult to avoid the drug.

Ideally, all patients should be assessed by an allergy specialist and have a
treatment plan based on their individual risk.

Individuals provided with an auto-injector on discharge from hospital must be given
instructions and training and have appropriate follow-up including contact with the
patient’s general practitioner.

Resuscitation Council (UK)

EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

7.5 Specialist referral

All patients

presenting with anaphylaxis should be referred to an allergy clinic to

identify the cause, and thereby reduce the risk of future reactions and prepare the
patient to manage future episodes themselves. There is a list of specialist clinics on
the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) website. A list of
clinics with a specific interest in anaphylactic reactions during anaesthesia is
available at the BSACI and Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland
websites (

www.bsaci.org

and

www.aagbi.org

7.6 Patient education

Refer patients at risk of an anaphylactic reaction to an appropriate allergy clinic.
Patients need to know the allergen responsible and how to avoid it. If the allergen is
a food, they need to know what products are likely to contain it, and all the names
that can be used to describe it. Where possible they also need to know how to
avoid situations that could expose them to the allergen.

Patients need to be able to recognise the early symptoms of anaphylaxis, so that
they can summon help quickly and prepare to use their emergency medication.
Patients at risk are usually advised to carry their adrenaline auto-injector with them
at all times. Patients and those close to them (i.e., close family, friends, and carers)
should receive training in using the auto-injector and should practise regularly using
a suitable training device, so that they will know what to do in an emergency.

Patients must always seek urgent medical assistance when experiencing
anaphylaxis and after using an adrenaline auto-injector. Information about
managing severe allergies can be obtained from their allergy specialist, general
practitioner, other healthcare professional or the Anaphylaxis Campaign. Although
there are no randomised clinical trials,

there is evidence that individualised action

plans for self-management should decrease the risk of recurrence.

7 76

Specific guidance and training is available for schools with children at risk of allergic
reactions (

www.allergyinschools.org.uk

All those at high risk of an anaphylactic reaction should consider wearing some
device, such as a bracelet (e.g., Medic Alert), that provides information about their
history of anaphylactic reaction.

Resuscitation Council (UK)

EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

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Mueller UR. Cardiovascular disease and anaphylaxis.

Curr Opin Allergy

Clin Immunol

2007;7(4):337-41.

Resuscitation Council (UK)

EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

52.

Laxenaire MC. [Epidemiology of anesthetic anaphylactoid reactions. Fourth
multicenter survey (July 1994-December 1996)].

Ann Fr Anesth Reanim

1999;18(7):796-809.

53.

Ewan PW. Adverse reactions to colloids.

Anaesthesia

2001;56(8):771-2.

54.

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experience in prehospital intraosseous infusions in children and adults.

Ann

Emerg Med

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55.

Sheikh A, Ten Broek V, Brown SG, Simons FE. H(1)-antihistamines for the
treatment of anaphylaxis: Cochrane systematic review.

Allergy

2007;62(8):830-7.

56.

Lin RY, Curry A, Pesola GR, Knight RJ, Lee HS, Bakalchuk L, et al.
Improved outcomes in patients with acute allergic syndromes who are
treated with combined H1 and H2 antagonists.

Ann Emerg Med

2000;36(5):462-8.

57.

Rowe BH, Spooner C, Ducharme FM, Bretzlaff JA, Bota GW. Early
emergency department treatment of acute asthma with systemic
corticosteroids.

Cochrane Database Syst Rev

2001(1):CD002178.

58.

Smith M, Iqbal S, Elliott TM, Everard M, Rowe BH. Corticosteroids for
hospitalised children with acute asthma.

Cochrane Database Syst Rev

2003(2):CD002886.

59.

Manser R, Reid D, Abramson M. Corticosteroids for acute severe asthma in
hospitalised patients.

Cochrane Database Syst Rev

2001(1):CD001740.

60.

Dewachter P, Raeth-Fries I, Jouan-Hureaux V, Menu P, Vigneron C,
Longrois D, et al. A comparison of epinephrine only, arginine vasopressin
only, and epinephrine followed by arginine vasopressin on the survival rate in
a rat model of anaphylactic shock.

Anesthesiology

2007;106(5):977-83.

61.

Higgins DJ, Gayatri P. Methoxamine in the management of severe
anaphylaxis.

Anaesthesia

1999;54(11):1126.

62.

Heytman M, Rainbird A. Use of alpha-agonists for management of
anaphylaxis occurring under anaesthesia: case studies and review.

Anaesthesia

2004;59(12):1210-5.

63.

Kill C, Wranze E, Wulf H. Successful treatment of severe anaphylactic
shock with vasopressin. Two case reports.

Int Arch Allergy Immunol

2004;134(3):260-1.

64.

Schummer W, Schummer C, Wippermann J, Fuchs J. Anaphylactic shock:
is vasopressin the drug of choice?

Anesthesiology

2004;101(4):1025-7.

Resuscitation Council (UK)

EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

65.

Thomas M, Crawford I. Best evidence topic report. Glucagon infusion in
refractory anaphylactic shock in patients on beta-blockers.

Emerg Med J

2005;22(4):272-3.

66.

Schwartz LB. Diagnostic value of tryptase in anaphylaxis and mastocytosis.

Immunol Allergy Clin North Am

2006;26(3):451-63.

67.

Brown SG, Blackman KE, Heddle RJ. Can serum mast cell tryptase help
diagnose anaphylaxis?

Emerg Med Australas

2004;16(2):120-4.

68.

Brown AF. Therapeutic controversies in the management of acute
anaphylaxis.

J Accid Emerg Med

1998;15(2):89-95.

69.

Lieberman P. Biphasic anaphylactic reactions.

Ann Allergy Asthma

Immunol

2005;95(3):217-26; quiz 226, 258.

70.

Tole JW, Lieberman P. Biphasic anaphylaxis: review of incidence, clinical
predictors, and observation recommendations.

Immunol Allergy Clin North

2007;27(2):309-26, viii.

71.

Poon M, Reid C. Best evidence topic reports. Oral corticosteroids in acute
urticaria.

Emerg Med J

2004;21(1):76-7.

72.

Zull DN. Preventing fatalities from anaphylaxis: an emergency medicine
physician's perspective.

Allergy Proc

1995;16(3):113-4.

73.

Sicherer SH, Simons FE. Quandaries in prescribing an emergency action
plan and self-injectable epinephrine for first-aid management of anaphylaxis
in the community.

J Allergy Clin Immunol

2005;115(3):575-83.

74.

Gold MS, Sainsbury R. First aid anaphylaxis management in children who
were prescribed an epinephrine autoinjector device (EpiPen).

J Allergy Clin

Immunol

2000;106(1 Pt 1):171-6.

75.

Choo K, Sheikh A. Action plans for the long-term management of
anaphylaxis: systematic review of effectiveness.

Clin Exp Allergy

2007;37(7):1090-4.

76.

Ewan PW, Clark AT. Efficacy of a management plan based on severity
assessment in longitudinal and case-controlled studies of 747 children with
nut allergy: proposal for good practice.

Clin Exp Allergy

2005;35(6):751-6.

Resuscitation Council (UK)

EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

9. Acknowledgements

The following contributed to the previous guidance:

Professor Douglas Chamberlain (Chair),

Dr Judith Fisher (Royal College of General Practitioners),

Dr Michael Ward (The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and

Ireland),

Dr Andrew Cant (Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health),

Dr Peter Dawson (Royal College of Radiologists),

Dr Pamela Ewan, Mrs Angela Fritz (Anaphylaxis Campaign),

Dr Gideon Lack, Professor Tak Lee (British Society for Allergy & Clinical

Immunology),

Dr John Martin (British National Formulary),

Dr Barbara Phillips (Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health),

Dr Richard Pumphrey (Royal College of Pathologists),

Dr George Rylance (Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health),

Mr Howard Sherriff (British Association of Emergency Medicine),

Professor David Warrell (Royal College of Physicians),

Dr David Salisbury (Principal Medical Officer, Dept of Health),

Mrs Marilyn Eveleigh (Nurse Adviser in Primary Care and Public Health,

East Sussex Area Health Authority).

The working group would also like to thank the following for their contributions
during the preparation of this document:

Michael Bennett, Robert Bingham, Simon Brook, Christopher Cheetham,
Michael Dudley, David Edgar, Bill Egner, Carol Ewing, Tomaz Garcez, Steve
Garth, Neville Goodman, Phillip Gore, Rosemary Gradwell, Carl Gwinnutt, Bal
Hampal, Richard Hardern, Bob Harris, Jenny Hughes, Jeroen Janssens,
Robert Lock, Paul McEndoo, Trevor McNulty, Ash Mukhergee, Elizabeth
Norris, Sara Peterson-Brown, David Pitcher, Laurence Rocke, Glenys
Scadding, Gavin Spickett, Nick Stockdale, Anita Sugavanam, Ghufran Syed,
Nigel Turner, Paul Virgo, Harry Walmsley, Andrew Webster, Paul Williams.

Resuscitation Council (UK)

EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

Appendices

Appendix 1. The ABCDE approach

Modified from Immediate Life Support manual 2005, European Paediatric Life
Support manual 2006 and Paediatric Immediate Life Support manual 2007
(Resuscitation Council (UK)).

Underlying principles

The approach to all critically ill patients, including those who are having an
anaphylactic reaction, is the same. The underlying principles are:

Use an Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure (the ABCDEs)
approach to assess and treat the patient.

Do a complete initial assessment and re-assess regularly.

Treat life-threatening problems before moving to the next part of assessment.

Assess the effects of treatment.

Call for help early (e.g., calling for an ambulance or resuscitation team).

Use all members of the team or helpers. This will enable interventions, e.g.,
calling for help, assessment, attaching monitoring equipment, and intravenous
access, to be undertaken simultaneously.

Communicate effectively.

The aim of the initial treatments is to keep the patient alive, and achieve some
clinical improvement. This will buy time for further treatment and expert help.

Remember - it can take a few minutes for treatments to work.

10.

The ABCDE approach can be used irrespective of your training and experience
in clinical assessment or treatment. The detail of your assessment and what
treatments you give will depend on your clinical knowledge and skills. If you
recognise a problem or are unsure, call for help.

First steps

Ensure personal safety.

First look at the patient in general to see if the patient ‘looks unwell’.

If the patient is awake ask, “How are you?” If the patient appears unconscious,
shake him and ask, “Are you all right?” If he responds normally, he has a patent
airway, is breathing and has brain perfusion. If he speaks only in short
sentences, he may have breathing problems. Failure of the patient to respond is
a marker of critical illness.

Monitor the vital signs early. Attach a pulse oximeter, ECG monitor, and non-
invasive blood pressure monitor to all critically ill patients, as soon as possible.

Resuscitation Council (UK)

EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

If trained to do so, insert an intravenous cannula as soon as possible. Take
bloods for investigation.

Airway (A)

Airway obstruction is an emergency. Get expert help immediately.

Look for the signs of airway obstruction:

•

Complete or severe airway obstruction causes paradoxical chest and
abdominal movements (‘see-saw’ respirations) and the use of the accessory
muscles of respiration. Central cyanosis is a late sign of airway obstruction.
In complete airway obstruction, there are no breath sounds at the mouth or
nose. In partial obstruction, air entry is diminished and often noisy.

Treat airway obstruction as an emergency:

•

In most cases where airway obstruction is caused by lack of pharyngeal tone
or the tongue falling to the back of the throat, e.g., loss of consciousness
because of hypotension, only simple methods of airway clearance are
needed (e.g., airway opening manoeuvres, suction, insertion of an
oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal airway).

•

Anaphylaxis can cause airway swelling (pharyngeal or laryngeal oedema).
Overcoming this obstruction may be very difficult and early tracheal
intubation is often required. This requires expert help.

Give oxygen at high concentration:

•

Give high concentration oxygen using a mask with an oxygen reservoir.
Ensure high flow oxygen (usually greater than 10 litres min

-1

) to prevent

collapse of the reservoir during inspiration. If the patient’s trachea is
intubated, give high concentration oxygen with a self-inflating bag.

•

In acute respiratory failure, try to maintain the PaO

as close to normal as

possible (approximately 13 kPa or 100 mm Hg). In the absence of arterial
blood gas values, use pulse oximetry to guide oxygen therapy. Aim for an
oxygen saturation of 94-98%. In the sickest patients this is not always
possible, so you may have to accept lower values, i.e., above 8 kPa (60 mm
Hg), or 90-92% oxygen saturation on a pulse oximeter.

Breathing (B)

During the immediate assessment of breathing, it is vital to diagnose and treat

immediately life-threatening conditions, e.g., acute severe bronchospasm. Look,
listen and feel for the general signs of respiratory distress: sweating, central
cyanosis, use of the accessory muscles of respiration, subcostal and sternal
recession in children, and abdominal breathing.

Count the respiratory rate. The normal adult rate is 12 - 20 breaths min

-1

A high, or increasing, respiratory rate is a marker of illness and a warning that
the patient may deteriorate suddenly.

Resuscitation Council (UK)

EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

The normal respiratory rate varies by age (approximate):

<1 year

30-40 min

-1

>1 to 2 years

26-34 min

-1

>2 to 5 years

24-30 min

-1

>5 to 12 years

20-24 min

-1

>12 years

12-20 min

-1

Assess the depth of each breath, the pattern (rhythm) of respiration and whether
chest expansion is equal and normal on both sides.

Record the inspired oxygen concentration (%) given to the patient and the SpO

reading of the pulse oximeter. A normal SpO

in a patient receiving oxygen

does not necessarily indicate adequate ventilation: the pulse oximeter detects
oxygenation and not hypercapnia. The patient may be breathing inadequately
and have a high PaCO

Listen to the patient’s breath sounds a short distance from his face. Rattling

airway noises indicate airway secretions, usually because the patient cannot
cough or take a deep breath. Stridor or wheeze suggests partial, but important,
airway obstruction. Listen to the chest with a stethoscope if you are trained to
do so. The specific treatment of breathing disorders depends upon the cause.
Bronchospasm causing wheeze is common in anaphylaxis. All critically ill
patients should be given oxygen.

. Initially give the highest possible concentration of inspired oxygen using a mask

with an oxygen reservoir. Ensure high flow oxygen (usually greater than 10
litres min

-1

) to prevent collapse of the reservoir during inspiration. If the patient’s

trachea is intubated, give high concentration oxygen with a self-inflating bag. As
soon as a pulse oximeter is available, titrate the oxygen to maintain an oxygen
saturation of 94-98%. In the sickest patients this is not always possible so you
may have to accept a lower value, i.e., above 8 kPa (60 mm Hg), or 90-92%
oxygen saturation on a pulse oximeter.

If the patient’s depth or rate of breathing is inadequate or the patient has

stopped breathing, use a pocket mask or two person bag-mask ventilation while
calling urgently for expert help. In an anaphylactic reaction, upper airway
obstruction or bronchospasm may make bag mask ventilation difficult or
impossible. Early tracheal intubation should be considered by someone
experienced in the technique.

Resuscitation Council (UK)

EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

Circulation (C)

In almost all medical emergencies, including an anaphylactic reaction, consider
hypovolaemia as the likeliest cause of shock until proved otherwise. In anaphylaxis
the shock is usually caused by vasodilation and fluid leaking from capillary blood
vessels. Unless there are obvious signs of a cardiac cause (e.g., chest pain, heart
failure), give intravenous fluid to any patient with low blood pressure and a high
heart rate. Remember that breathing problems, which should have been treated
earlier on in the breathing assessment, can also compromise a patient’s circulatory
state.

Look at the colour of the hands and digits: are they blue, pink, pale or mottled?

Assess the limb temperature by feeling the patient’s hands: are they cool or
warm?

Measure the capillary refill time. Apply cutaneous pressure for five seconds on a
fingertip held at heart level with enough pressure to cause blanching. Time how
long it takes for the skin to return to the colour of the surrounding skin after
releasing the pressure. The normal refill time is less than two seconds. A
prolonged time suggests poor peripheral perfusion. Other factors (e.g., cold
surroundings, poor lighting, old age) can prolong the time.

Assess the state of the veins: they may be under-filled or collapsed when
hypovolaemia is present.

Count the patient’s pulse rate.
Normal heart rate by age (approximate)

Newborn to 3 months

140 min

-1

>3 months to 2 years

130 min

-1

>2 to 10 years

80 min

-1

>10

years

min

-1

Adults

60-100

min

-1

Palpate peripheral and central pulses, assessing for presence, rate, quality,
regularity and equality. Barely palpable central pulses suggest a poor cardiac
output.

Measure the patient’s blood pressure. Even in shock, the blood pressure may
be normal, because compensatory mechanisms increase peripheral resistance
in response to reduced cardiac output. In anaphylaxis, vasodilation is common
and the blood pressure may fall precipitously very early on. A low diastolic blood
pressure suggests arterial vasodilation (as in anaphylaxis or sepsis). A
narrowed pulse pressure (difference between systolic and diastolic pressures)
suggests arterial vasoconstriction (cardiogenic shock or hypovolaemia).

Resuscitation Council (UK)

EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

Listen to the heart with a stethoscope if you are trained to do so.

Look for other signs of a poor cardiac output, such as reduced conscious level.

10.

The treatment of cardiovascular collapse depends on the cause, but should be
directed at fluid replacement and restoration of tissue perfusion. Seek out signs
of conditions that are immediately life-threatening, e.g., massive or continuing
bleeding, or anaphylactic reaction, and treat them urgently.

11.

A simple measure to improve the patient’s circulation is to lie the person flat and
raise the legs. This must be done with care as it may worsen any breathing
problems.

12.

In pregnant patients use a left lateral tilt of at least 15 degrees to avoid caval
compression; after 20 weeks’ gestation the pregnant woman’s uterus can press
down on the inferior vena cava and impede venous return to the heart.

13.

Insert one or more large-bore intravenous cannulae if trained to do so. Use
short, wide-bore cannulae, because they enable the highest flow. Use
intraosseous access if you are trained to do so, especially in children when
intravenous access is difficult.

14.

Give a rapid fluid challenge: Adults - 500 mL of warmed crystalloid solution
(e.g., Hartmann’s or 0.9% saline) in 5-10 minutes if the patient is normotensive
or one litre if the patient is hypotensive. Use smaller volumes (e.g., 250 mL) for
adult patients with known cardiac failure and use closer monitoring (listen to the
chest for crepitations after each bolus). The use of invasive monitoring, e.g.,
central venous pressure (CVP), can help to assess fluid resuscitation. For
children give 20 mL/kg of warmed crystalloid.

15.

Reassess the pulse rate and BP regularly (every 5 min), aiming for the patient‘s
normal BP. If this is unknown, in adults aim for a systolic BP greater than 100
mmHg.

Lower limit of blood pressure for children (approximate):

0 to1 month

50-60 mmHg

>1 to12 months

70 mmHg

>1 to 10 years

70 + (age in years x 2) mmHg

>10 years

90 mmHg

16.

If the patient does not improve, repeat the fluid challenge.

17.

If there are symptoms and signs of cardiac failure (shortness of breath,
increased heart rate, raised JVP, a third heart sound, and inspiratory crackles in
the lungs on auscultation), decrease or stop the fluid infusion. Seek expert help
as other means of improving tissue perfusion (e.g., inotropes or vasopressors)
may be needed.

Resuscitation Council (UK)

EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

Disability (D)

Common causes of unconsciousness include profound hypoxia, hypercapnia,
cerebral hypoperfusion due to hypotension, or the recent administration of sedative
or analgesic drugs.

Review and treat the ABCs: exclude hypoxia and hypotension.

Examine the pupils (size, equality, and reaction to light).

Assess the patient’s conscious level rapidly using the

AVPU

method:

lert,

responds to

ocal stimuli, responds to

ainful stimuli, or

nresponsive to all

stimuli. Alternatively use the Glasgow Coma Scale.

Measure the blood glucose, using a glucose meter or stick method, to exclude
hypoglycaemia. If below 3 mmol l

-1

, give 50 mL of 10% glucose solution

intravenously. In children, use 5 mL/kg of 10% glucose. Assess the response
and give further doses as necessary.

Nurse unconscious patients in the lateral position if their airway is not protected.

Exposure (E)

To examine the patient properly, full exposure of the body is necessary. Skin and
mucosal changes after anaphylaxis can be subtle. Minimise heat loss. Respect the
patient’s dignity.

Additional information

Take a full clinical history from the patient, relatives or friends, and other staff.

Review the patient’s notes and charts

a. Study both absolute and trended values of vital signs.
b. Check that important routine medications are prescribed and being

given.

Review the results of laboratory or radiological investigations.

Consider what level of care is required by the patient, e.g., transport to hospital if
in the community.

Make complete entries in the patient’s notes of your findings, assessment and
treatment. Record the patient’s response to therapy.

Consider definitive treatment of the patient’s underlying condition.

Resuscitation Council (UK)

EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

Appendix 2. Choice of needle and technique

for intramuscular (IM) injection

There is no specific evidence for any particular technique of intramuscular injection
when treating an anaphylactic reaction. This guidance is based on the
recommendations for intramuscular injections for vaccination (Immunisation against
infectious disease. Department of Health UK, 2006). For IM injections, the needle
needs to be long enough to ensure that the drug is injected into the muscle.
A 25mm needle is best and is suitable for all ages. In pre-term or very small infants,
a 16mm needle is suitable for IM injection. In some adults, a longer length (38 mm)
may be needed.

Standard UK needle gauges and lengths

Brown

26G

10 mm

Orange

25G

16 mm or 25 mm

Blue

23G

25 mm

Green

21G

38 mm

Give IM injections with the needle at a 90º angle to the skin. The skin should be
stretched, not bunched.

Resuscitation Council (UK)

EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

Appendix 3. Useful websites

www.resus.org.uk

Resuscitation Council UK

www.bsaci.org

British Society of Allergy & Clinical Immunology

www.anaphylaxis.org.uk

The Anaphylaxis Campaign

www.eaaci.net

The European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology

www.erc.edu

European Resuscitation Council

www.aagbi.org

The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland

www.cochrane.org

The Cochrane collaboration

www.bestbets.org

Best Evidence Topics in emergency medicine.

www.hpa.org.uk

Health protection agency

www.allergyinschools.org.uk

Website for school nurses

Resuscitation Council (UK)

EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

Appendix 4. Glossary of terms and abbreviations

•

The masculine forms he, him, and his are used throughout the document.

•

The term ‘patient’ is used to describe an individual suffering from an
anaphylactic reaction in any setting instead of alternative terms e.g., victim or
casualty.

•

ABCDE:

Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure

(see Appendix 1).

•

ALS:

Advanced Life Support.

•

Anaphylaxis:

the process which leads to an anaphylactic reaction.

•

Anaphylactic reaction:

the life-threatening signs and symptoms caused by

anaphylaxis.

•

Anaphylactic shock:

poor perfusion of the body’s vital organs caused by an

anaphylactic reaction.

•

BLS:

Basic Life Support, i.e., CPR without the use of equipment except for

airway protective devices.

•

CPR:

cardiopulmonary resuscitation, which refers to chest compressions and

ventilations.

•

IM:

intramuscular.

•

IV:

intravenous.

Resuscitation Council (UK)

EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

Appendix 5. Conflict of interest declaration

Name

Details

Conflict of
interest

Dr Jasmeet Soar
(Co Chair)

Consultant in Anaesthetics &
Intensive Care Medicine
Southmead Hospital
North Bristol NHS Trust
Bristol BS10 5NB

Nil

Dr Richard Pumphrey
(Co Chair)

Honorary Consultant in Clinical
Immunology, Central Manchester &
Manchester Children’s Hospitals
Manchester M13 9WL

Nil

Professor Andrew Cant

Consultant in Paediatric
Immunology
Ward 23
Newcastle General Hospital
Westgate Rd
Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 6BE

Nil

Sue Clarke

Community Health Clinic
35 Orchard Rd
Melbourn
Royston
Herts SG8 6HH

Nil

Allison Corbett

British National Formulary
Royal Pharmaceutical Society of GB
1 Lambeth High St
London SE1 7JN

Nil

Professor Peter Dawson

Clinical Director of Imaging
UCL Hospitals
Department of Imaging
Euston Rd
London NW1 2BU

Nil

Dr Pamela Ewan

Consultant in Allergy
Cambridge University NHS
Foundation Trust
Hills Road
Cambridge CB2 0QQ

Nil

Dr Bernard Foëx

Consultant in Emergency Medicine
and Intensive Care
Manchester Royal Infirmary
Oxford Road
Manchester M13 9WL

Nil

Resuscitation Council (UK)

EMERGENCY TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS

Dr David Gabbott

Consultant Anaesthetist
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
Great Western Road
Gloucester GL1 3NN

Nil

Professor Matt Griffiths

Joint National Prescribing and
Medicines Adviser
Professional Nursing Development
Royal College of Nursing
20 Cavendish Sq
London W1G 0RN

Nil

Dr Judith Hall

Reader
Dept of Anaesthetics and Intensive
Care Medicine
Cardiff University
Heath Park
Cardiff CF14 4XN

Nil

Dr Nigel Harper

Consultant in Anaesthesia and
Critical Care
Anaesthetic Reaction Clinic
Manchester Royal Infirmary
Manchester M13 9WL

Nil

Dr Fiona Jewkes

General Practitioner

and

Clinical Lead
Ambulance Service Association
7th Floor, Capital Tower
91 Waterloo Road
London SE1 8RT

Consulting
work for NHS
Pathways

Dr Ian Maconochie

Consultant,
Children’s Emergency Medicine
St Mary’s Hospital NHS Trust
Paddington
Praed St
London W2 1NY

Nil

Sarah Mitchell

Director
Resuscitation Council (UK)
(

for address details, please see

page 1

)

Dr Shuaib Nasser

Consultant in Allergy and Asthma
Cambridge University NHS
Foundation Trust
Hills Road
Cambridge CB2 0QQ

Nil

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