Allergy, atopy and IgE. The predictive value of total IgE and allergic history in anaphylactic reactions during anaesthesia.

IgE levels were measured in 105 patients after immediate (101) and delayed (4) anaphylactoid reactions to anaesthetic drugs. It was not possible on the basis of allergic history and IgE levels in patients to determine the drugs to which the patients were likely to react. A history of allergy, atopy with or without elevated IgE levels, does not aid the selection of anaesthetic drugs for initial or repeat anaesthesia.