nitinol and Cardiac-Tamponade

Nickel hypersensitivity has been reported in up to 15% of the general population. However, there are few reported cases of patients developing nickel allergy after cardiac device implantation. This phenomenon is generally not well understood and many authorities believe that these devices are safe. Most reported cases of nickel allergy have presented with non-specific symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations, or pericarditis and the majority of patients have undergone atrial septal defect closure with devices containing nickel, such as the Amplatzer septal occluder device (St Jude Medical). Herein, we describe a case of hypersensitivity pericarditis complicated with cardiac tamponade that responded dramatically to anti-inflammatory therapy. We hypothesize that this hypersensitivity was secondary to nickel allergy.

Topics: Aged; Alloys; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Cardiac Tamponade; Female; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Nickel; Pericarditis; Septal Occluder Device; Treatment Outcome

Placement of a single new-generation nitinol stent resulted in acute pericardial tamponade in a 70-year-old man with superior vena cava syndrome.

Topics: Acute Disease; Aged; Alloys; Angioplasty, Balloon; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Cardiac Tamponade; Electrocardiography; Hemodynamics; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Pericardiocentesis; Phlebography; Prosthesis Design; Stents; Superior Vena Cava Syndrome; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome

Topics: Alloys; Angioplasty, Balloon; Cardiac Tamponade; Clinical Competence; Humans; Prosthesis Design; Risk Assessment; Stents; Treatment Outcome