World Allergy Organization anaphylaxis guidelines: Summary

The world allergy organization guidelines for the assessment and management of anaphylaxis are being published concurrently in the journal of allergy and clinical immunology to facilitate retrieval by all health care professionals worldwide through pubmed and other search engines and in the world allergy organization journal to facilitate rapid access by all members of the wao. The recommendations for assessment and basic initial management of anaphylaxis, as summarized in fig 1, fig 2, fig 3, fig 4, fig 5 and in table 1, table 2, table 3, table 4, table 5, table 6, table 7, table 8, table 9 in the guidelines, are also being disseminated through posters, pocket cards, and applications (apps) for mobile devices.the main barriers to implementation of the recommendations in the guidelines include the erroneous perception that anaphylaxis is a rare disease and the lack of universal availability of essential medications, supplies, and equipment for its assessment and management worldwide. Additional barriers include lack of awareness that hypotension and shock are often absent in patients with anaphylaxis, that serum tryptase or plasma histamine levels are not necessarily increased, that death can occur within a few minutes, and that prompt basic initial treatment can be life-saving.the wao member societies were extensively involved in the development of these unique anaphylaxis guidelines, and will be involved with their dissemination and implementation. Their continued anaphylaxis education efforts will help to surmount the above-listed barriers.in the online full-length version of the world allergy organization guidelines for the assessment and management of anaphylaxis, available at www.jacionline.org, a complete list of references is provided to support the recommendations that are made.