Bradykinin-mediated angioedema (AE) is a rare disease characterised by recurrent angioedema linked to acquired (e.g. angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor induced AE) or hereditary disorders (e.g. AE type I or II). As the clinical picture can be misleading, diagnosis of this disease is sometimes difficult. A bradykinin-mediated AE attack may be a therapeutic emergency which requires access to effective, but expensive, treatments. Their prescription must therefore be justified. No specific marker of acute bradykinin-mediated AE attacks has yet been identified to facilitate the therapeutic decision but it has been sought in many studies.