Rapid desensitization to acetylsalicylic acid in patients with ischemic heart disease: 10-year experience of a Portuguese Allergy Department

Background. Managing acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) hypersensitivity (HS) in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a challenge. Data on rapid desensitization (RD) to ASA is scarce. We aimed to report the outcomes of our 10-year experience with RD to ASA. Methods. Retrospective, obser-vational, single-center study of patients with ASA HS and suspected IHD who underwent RD to ASA between March 2009 and February 2019. Results. Fifty patients were included. ASA HS presentation ranged from urticaria (56%) to anaphylaxis (32%). Regarding cardiologic diagnoses, 40 patients (80%) had acute coronary syndrome and 10 (20%) stable an-gina. The majority of patients (n = 36.72%) underwent percutaneous cor-onary intervention. RD to ASA was successful in all patients. Two patients presented a mild HS reaction during the RD, which was promptly treated, and subsequent daily doses of ASA 100 mg were tolerated. Conclusions. In our cohort, RD to ASA in patients with ASA HS and IHD was very effective and safe.