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Updated: May 8, 2026

Closure of a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO): An Intervention Sequence
Published on: December 23, 2022
Severe allergic dermatitis after closure of foramen ovale with Amplatzer occluder
Jan Belohlavek1, Simona Belohlavkova, Jaroslav Hlubocky
12nd Department of Medicine-Cardiovascular Medicine, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic. jan.belohlavek@vfn.cz
Abstract:
Allergic reaction to nitinol is rarely reported, and its incidence, symptoms, and course have not been clearly defined. We report an occurrence of severe progressive generalized exanthema 3 days after the implantation of an Amplatzer occluder for a patent foramen ovale, with symptoms disappearing immediately after surgical removal of the device 3 months later. The risks and possible prevention of allergic reaction to nickel and especially to titanium are discussed.

