title: Aortic valve replacement in a patient with severe nickel allergy.
abstract: Nickel allergy can raise clinical problems in patients undergoing cardiac surgery who require sternal closure with stainless steel wire. We describe the case of a 51-year-old woman with severe nickel allergy who underwent aortic valve replacement with a nickel-free ON-X prosthesis and sternal closure by Fiberwire # 2 suture without complications. Considering its biocompatibility and its mechanical characteristics including optimal strength and knot resistance, this suture might be a viable alternative in patients in which the use of stainless steel wire is contraindicated.
authors.affiliation: University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, CIR-Area of Cardiovascular Surgery, Rome, Italy. m.lusini@unicampus.it
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lusini
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barbato
authors.forename: Cristiano
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Spadaccio
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chello
mesh_terms: D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009532:Nickel / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013537:Sutures
chemical_list: D009532:Nickel