Fatal and near fatal idiopathic anaphylaxis

Objective: To document that idiopathic anaphylaxis may have a fatal or near fatal outcome. Design: Review of selected cases seen personally by authors during the past 16 years. Setting: University faculty practice and private practices. Patients: All cases of idiopathic anaphylaxis seen by the authors are not presented, but 10 cases were selected to demonstrate two fatalities and eight cases of near fatalities. Results: Two fatal cases had expired before emergency service therapy. Eight near fatal cases responded to acute therapy and subsequently were controlled. Remission of idiopathic anaphylaxis was then induced. Idiopathic anaphylaxis may be fatal or potentially fatal and must be treated to prevent a fatal outcome. Conclusions: The documentation of fatalities and near fatalities should help patients and their physicians accept intense management of idiopathic anaphylaxis that will result in control and induction of a remission in idiopathic anaphylaxis.