Emergency treatment of anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that is potentially fatal. It is the clinical manifestation of a syndrome that represents the most severe allergic reaction affecting the systemic circulation & respiratory function. The clinical presentation of anaphylaxis is a frequent event to all emergency departments (ED) & requires prompt recognition & immediate management. No reliable epidemiological data is available in the incidence of anaphylaxis partly because of the difficulty defining anaphylactic reactions (Resuscitation Council UK, 2005), however, one study found an incidence of 1:2300 attendees at an ED (Stewart & Ewan, 1996). The recent severe rise in childhood allergies & atopic conditions will result in an increasing prevalence of this condition. In addition most anaphylactic reactions are iatrogenic (Pumphrey, 2000), therefore, there is a clear need for practitioners to be able to assess, make a working diagnosis, plan, implement a plan of care with specific outcome identification, & evaluate the car of patients presenting with this condition. 26 References. [Copyright 2005 Elsevier Ltd.]