EMERGENCY ANAPHYLAXIS: LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Introduction: Anaphylaxis corresponds to an acute systemic immune reaction that has a frequent rate in the emergency. In many cases, its evolution is unpredictable and serious, demanding better knowledge of this disease by professionals. Methodology: A literature review was carried out. Data collection was carried out in SCIELO and PUBMED using the following health descriptors: “Anaphylaxis; Diagnosis; Emergency; Epidemiology; Therapy". Results: We selected 19 articles published in English and Portuguese between the years 2012 and 2020. Anaphylaxis usually results from an immunological mechanism against different antigens exposed to a previously sensitized person. Its pathogenesis involves direct activation of mast cells, which promote the release of inflammatory mediators. Such substances trigger the abrupt onset of symptoms. During seizures, patients have symptoms that predominate in the integumentary and respiratory systems. Diagnosis is symptomatic. Therapeutic management must be quick to prevent severe complications and the drug of choice is adrenaline. The understanding of this condition is still outdated by some health professionals, which supports the ineffective clinical management of some patients as well as the higher occurrence of death. Conclusion: Anaphylaxis is a potentially fatal clinical condition that must be correctly managed in the emergency, to reduce the number of deaths. However, their insufficient knowledge by some doctors and access to adrenaline in the country make it difficult for this to happen.