Nickel allergy, Kounis syndrome and intracardiac metal devices.
Metal-induced allergic reactions are not rare in every day practice but nickel, cobalt and chromium are the most common offenders. Other metal anions and metal alloys represent also emerging causes for hypersensitivity reaction in humans. The metal struts of endovascular and intracardiac devices are usually alloys containing nickel and constitute causes for allergic reactions with possible intracardiac and intracoronary mast cell activation resulting in the Kounis hypersensitivity coronary syndrome. Newer intracoronary stents avoid nickel thus making them less allergenic. It is advisable that, before any device implantation, careful history of any metal allergy should be taken and efforts should be made for the development of new devices with better biocompatibility.
Almpanis
George C
GC
Department of Health Studies Patras Highest Institute of Education and Technology, Patras, Greece.
Tsigkas
Grigorios G
GG
Department of Health Studies Patras Highest Institute of Education and Technology, Patras, Greece.
Koutsojannis
Constantinos
C
Department of Health Studies Patras Highest Institute of Education and Technology, Patras, Greece.
Mazarakis
Andreas
A
Department of Health Studies Patras Highest Institute of Education and Technology, Patras, Greece.
Kounis
George N
GN
Department of Health Studies Patras Highest Institute of Education and Technology, Patras, Greece.
Kounis
Nicholas G
NG
Department of Cardiology, Univercity of Patras Medical School, Patras, Greece. Electronic address: ngkounis@otenet.gr.
D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D054085:Foramen Ovale / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D009532:Nickel / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013577:Syndrome; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*
D009532:Nickel