A correlation found between contact allergy to stent material and restenosis of the coronary arteries.
BACKGROUND
Metallic implants, stents, are increasingly being used especially in patients with stenosis of the cardiac vessels. Ten to thirty per cent of the patients suffer from restenosis regardless of aetiology. We have shown increased frequency of contact allergy to stent metals in stented patients.


OBJECTIVE
To we evaluate whether contact allergy to stent material is a risk factor for restenosis.


METHODS
Patients with stainless steel stents, with or without gold plating, were epicutaneously tested and answered a questionnaire. The restenosis rate was evaluated.


RESULTS
We found a correlation between contact allergy to gold, gold stent, and restenosis (OR 2.3, CI 1.0-5.1, P = 0.04). The risk for restenosis was threefold increased when the patient was gold allergic and stented with a gold-plated stent. An increased degree of chest pain in gold-allergic patients stented with gold-plated stent was found.


CONCLUSIONS
We found a correlation between contact allergy to gold, gold-stent, and restenosis. It may be of importance to consider contact allergy when developing new materials for stenting.
Svedman
Cecilia
C
Department of Occupational and Environmental Dermatology, Malmö University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden. cecilia.svedman@skane.se
Ekqvist
Susanne
S
Möller
Halvor
H
Björk
Jonas
J
Pripp
Carl-Magnus
CM
Gruvberger
Birgitta
B
Holmström
Eva
E
Gustavsson
Carl-Gunnar
CG
Bruze
Magnus
M
D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000628:therapy; D023903:Coronary Restenosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006046:Gold / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013193:Stainless Steel / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013548:Sweden
D013193:Stainless Steel; D006046:Gold