Pacemaker component allergy: case report and review of the literature

Pacemaker component allergy is a relatively uncommon cause of erythema and pain at the site of an implanted pacemaker. Allergies to multiple pacemaker components have been well described. We present a case in which 2 component allergies were documented on separate occasions. Although attempts were made to protect the patient by "coating" the pacemaker, the protective coating was incomplete and the patient again had a clinical reaction. More complete coating corrected the problem. Diagnosis of a pacemaker component allergy first requires awareness of the problem and then thorough allergy testing with appropriate components.