A Case of Pacemaker (PM) Contact Sensitivity due to Silicon Allergy Which Occurred 24 Years after PM Implantation / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

A 44-year-old man underwent implantation of a DDD pacemaker for third degree heart block at age 20. The cutaneous pocket for the pulse generator was situated in the left pectoral region. He visited our hospital because of skin ulcer over the pacemaker without any other complaint such as fever or pain. The patient received a new DDD pacemaker system in the right pectoral region and old pacing leads were translocated under the pectoral muscle. However, right pectoral skin ulcer appeared 1 month later. Patch tests revealed a positive reaction to silicon. Wrapping of the pacemaker with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) sheet proved to be effective.