Allergy and anaphylaxis in trauma

Trauma and critically ill patients encounter numerous foreign antigens during their medical care, by parenteral exposure (e.g., drugs, blood products, contrast agents, preservatives) or environmental contact (e.g., latex and skin preparation solutions), as well as through enterally administered nutrition and drugs (1). The most common triggers of anaphylaxis on an outpatient basis include venom (especially from bee stings), contact with latex and foods (e.g., peanuts, nuts, fish, shellfish, and dairy products), whereas in perioperative settings, neuromuscular blockade (NMB) drugs are the most common triggers, followed by antibiotics, latex, and applied skin preparation solutions (1-3).

Duke Scholars

Author Jerrold Henry Levy Anesthesiology, Cardiothoracic