Kounis syndrome: a review of its epidemiology

Abstract

First described in 1991, Kounis Syndrome (KS) is the development of an Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) triggered by an allergic, hypersensitivity or anaphylaxis reaction. Since its epidemiology is still little studied, this article provides a systematic review of the literature on Kounis Syndrome and its main epidemiological aspects, based on the Virtual Health Library (BVS), PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Using the descriptors “Kounis Syndrome” and “epidemiology”, as well as applying the inclusion criteria (articles published between 2014 and 2024, with full text in Portuguese, English or Spanish, which were not repeated or done on animals), 7 articles were selected and it was possible to determine that KS is a rare syndrome, both because of the low number of cases and also because of its lack of knowledge and under-diagnosis. Its incidence is varied and depends on the population under study, but it is more common in patients with a history of anaphylaxis and ACS, reaching up to 7.3% in these specific groups, with no distinction between gender, age or nationality.