Pacemaker contact sensitivity

Abstract

In a patient who had 4 cardiac pacemakers implanted and removed, pruritus, redness and swelling of the skin overlying the pacemaker developed at intervals of 6 wk to 17 mo. after insertion. Patch testing showed a 2+ reaction to Ti. The positive result of this test, the Ti case of the generator, and the history of multiple local reactions around the generator site pointed toward contact sensitivity to the pacemaker. Although a review of the literature indicates that this problem is rare, it is of extreme importance to the patient with pacemaker contact dermatitis.