Angioneurotic edema. A review of modern concepts.

We review the subject of angioneurotic edema with special emphasis on the more clearly defined entity of hereditary angioneurotic edema. The clinical presentations of the various forms of angioneurotic edema are discussed. Attention is directed toward the attempts that have been made to define this group of diseases in terms of their underlying biochemical mechanisms. A simplified schema of the serum complement system is presented. We conclude that only after we understand such biochemical interactions will we able to effect a more definitive form of therapy for the angioneurotic edemas.