Superficial femoral artery nitinol stent in a patient with nickel allergy.

We present a case of a patient who developed a systemic allergic reaction following placement of a nitnol stent in the superficial femoral artery for claudication symptoms. Shortly after, he was tested for contact dermatitis and found to have a severe reaction to nickel. His symptoms of severe itch and generalized rash resolved within days following stent explantation and reconstruction with a vein graft. The epidemiology and clinical significance of nickel allergy and the concomitant use of nickel-alloy stents are discussed.