The role of acrylic acid impurity as a sensitizing component in electrocardiogram electrodes.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Allergic contact dermatitis caused by (meth)acrylates is well known, both in occupational and in non-occupational settings. Contact hypersensitivity to electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes containing (meth)acrylates is rarely reported.

OBJECTIVE:

To report the first case of contact dermatitis caused by acrylic acid impurity in ECG electrodes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Patch tests were performed with separate components of electrodes and some (meth)acrylates. This was followed by high-performance liquid chromatography of electrode hydrogel.

RESULTS:

The patient was contact-allergic to electrode hydrogel but not to its separate constituents. Positive reactions were observed to 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (2-HEMA), 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate (2-HPMA) and ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA). Subsequent analysis showed that the electrode hydrogel contained acrylic acid as an impurity. The latter was subsequently patch tested, with a positive result.

CONCLUSION:

The sensitization resulting from direct contact with ECG electrodes was caused by acrylic acid, present as an impurity in ECG electrodes. Positive reactions to 2-HEMA, 2-HPMA and EGDMA are considered to be cross-reactions.

• Authors: Luca Stingeni, Emilia Cerulli, Anna Spalletti, Alessandra Mazzoli, Luigi Rigano, Leonardo Bianchi, Katharina Hansel
• Journal: Contact dermatitis (Contact Dermatitis) Vol. 73 Issue 1 Pg. 44-8 (Jul 2015) ISSN: 1600-0536 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25645530 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Chemical References

• Acrylates
• Hydrogels
• acrylic acid

Topics

• Acrylates (adverse effects)
• Dermatitis, Allergic Contact (etiology)
• Drug Contamination
• Electrocardiography (instrumentation)
• Electrodes
• Humans
• Hydrogels (chemistry)
• Middle Aged
• Patch Tests