methylacrylates allergies and mechanical valves

[drivetopless]

Hi, folks-
I have a dilemma that I plan to discuss with my cardiologist and future surgeon but thought I would post here to see if anyone has any insights. I have a surgery coming soon and I just discovered that parts of mechanical valves may be made with Methylacrylates.

I am EXTREMELY allergic to methylacrylates. This substance is used in many common things like hair gel and dentures and adhesives and sunscreen. The slightest contact gives me a very red rash. Even accidental exposure causes issues. I can't swim in a public pool because of the sunscreen residue in the water. I recently got an exposure from a shopping cart handle (probaby someone had lotion on their hands) that took a week to recover from.

Here are some articles that refer to methylacrylates use in heart valves (mechanical AND Bovine), so I'm a little concerned what might happen if I had this implanted in my blood stream.

http://www.orlandoskindoc.com/Contact Dermatitis Forms/test.methyl metharcylate.htm

http://www.sciencedirect.com/scienc...serid=10&md5=776c111da54daba54e81fc3ef725e571

http://www.sciencedirect.com/scienc...serid=10&md5=1925aa8b0f06e5485bf8d159520ee8e2

Maybe I will need to get a Ross or a tissue valve based on this.
Or maybe there is a way to build resistance to the allergy like they do with peanut allergies today.

Anyone have any advise/input? I'm glad I found out this potential issue before my surgery.

 

[james]

Way over my level of knowledge but, I would recommend talking to at least two Doctors about this. Maybe 2 cardiologists and 2 surgeons?

 

[tobagotwo]

I would contact the valve manufacturers to get a statement regarding any methacrylate content in their respective valves. They all have websites.

Off-hand guess, the Medtronic Mosaic is an actual porcine valve with a sewing cuff, rather than being manufactured from parts, and may be the least likely to contain methacrylates.

However, contacting the manufacturers is the only way to be sure. Cardiologists and surgeons would be unlikely to have reliable information about this, and it would be second-hand if they did.

Best wishes,

 

[Ross]

This has to be a first in 9 years. You done asked a stumper this time. I'm sure that the content is so miniscule that it shouldn't make a difference, but I really do think you've hit on one that you need to ask the valve manufacterer. What are you going to do if you can't have a valve??

 

[drivetopless]

Shoot, Ross. You've definitely pointed out the elephant in the room. Maybe a valvuplasty until and alternative can be found? I would really like to go with the latest/greatest technoogy if possible.
I'm hoping since the acrylates are in the polymerized form (vs a liquid) that the effects would be negligible.
But I do think I need to investigate thoroughly and ask for some kind of compatibility test before I let anyone put one in me.

 

[Ross]

If worse comes to worse, I can take you to the faith healer who has his own 747. He should be able to fix you up. I do hope you realize I'm playing with you now.

 

[tobagotwo]

Well, there's always a homograft. But we'd sure like to know you have some choices.

Let us know what the manufacturers say.

Best wishes,

 

[Lily]

Very interesting question. I too would be very interested to find out what you learn.
I had some kind of problem or reaction when I used to wear acrylic clothing.

 

[drivetopless]

I will let you know. I can't wear Acrylic either, Lilly. Makes me itchy like wool.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Hi, folks-
I have a dilemma that I plan to discuss with my cardiologist and future surgeon but thought I would post here to see if anyone has any insights. I have a surgery coming soon and I just discovered that parts of mechanical valves may be made with Methylacrylates.

I am EXTREMELY allergic to methylacrylates. This substance is used in many common things like hair gel and dentures and adhesives and sunscreen. The slightest contact gives me a very red rash. Even accidental exposure causes issues. I can't swim in a public pool because of the sunscreen residue in the water. I recently got an exposure from a shopping cart handle (probaby someone had lotion on their hands) that took a week to recover from.

Here are some articles that refer to methylacrylates use in heart valves (mechanical AND Bovine), so I'm a little concerned what might happen if I had this implanted in my blood stream.

http://www.orlandoskindoc.com/Contact Dermatitis Forms/test.methyl metharcylate.htm

http://www.sciencedirect.com/scienc...serid=10&md5=776c111da54daba54e81fc3ef725e571

http://www.sciencedirect.com/scienc...serid=10&md5=1925aa8b0f06e5485bf8d159520ee8e2

Maybe I will need to get a Ross or a tissue valve based on this.
Or maybe there is a way to build resistance to the allergy like they do with peanut allergies today.

Anyone have any advise/input? I'm glad I found out this potential issue before my surgery.

I asked my contact at On-X if their valves contained any methyl acrylates. Their engineers reported NONE and their Cuff Supplier reported NONE.

A paper she found noted that some OLD mechanical and tissue valves did contain acrylates but that was decades ago. It would be wise to contact any/all manufacturers you are interested in to be sure.

The Surgeons at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta should all be familiar with the On-X Valves since they are the sponsors of the NO/LOW AntiCoagulation Trials using On-X Valves which employ the latest technology in mechanical valves.

'AL C'

 

[Duff Man]

I know this is going to sound ridiculous, but it sounds like that allergy calls for ridiculous measures. I think I wouldn't take anyone's word for it if i were in this position. I'd probably literally buy all of the materials from the exact manufacturer ahead of time and rub them on myself for days to see if anything happened. I'd literally ask the surgeon for a list of every single thing that I would come in to contact with, including manufacturer's make/model, etc. Stitches, dacron graft (if any), valve, tubing, everything. It sounds like your allergy is so serious that I would hate to see you or the manufacturer be wrong about anything even coming in to contact with your allergen during the manufacturing process.

 

[drivetopless]

Thanks, Al and Duff-
Both good points. I read up on the ON-X and was thinking since it is carbon based, it might be ok, too, but I will follow up.
And yes-- the surgical dressings/auxillaries are an issue. I had gall bladder surgery earlier this year and had a nasty reaction (blisters!) from the Biozin (adhesive dressing) they put over the lapro entry points. I called the Doctor the day after my surgery and he said that is itching and redness were common and not to worry. When I went in for the first follow up a couple of days later, he was shocked by the degree of reaction. He said take a picture and be sure to show it to any future surgeon. He said it was the worst reaction he had ever seen.

I'm just a delicate flower of a woman.

 

[catwoman]

And yes-- the surgical dressings/auxillaries are an issue. I had gall bladder surgery earlier this year and had a nasty reaction (blisters!) from the Biozin (adhesive dressing) they put over the lapro entry points. I called the Doctor the day after my surgery and he said that is itching and redness were common and not to worry. When I went in for the first follow up a couple of days later, he was shocked by the degree of reaction. He said take a picture and be sure to show it to any future surgeon. He said it was the worst reaction he had ever seen.

I'm just a delicate flower of a woman.

That's because you're a Southern belle from Gawgia!

 

[drivetopless]

That's because you're a Southern belle from Gawgia!

And a Texas Rose would know!!!!

 

[Lynlw]

I'm not eactly sure what all kinds of products contain it, but I would also ask about the tubing they have to use for the heart/lung machine, I don't know what they could do if it IS a problem,
I DO have a question tho, Justin used to be severely allergic to the dyes used in cath (not a great alleregy to have if you have almost yearly caths) it was to the older dyes, the newer ones are different. Anyway they couldn't not use the dye, so before and after the caths they would load him up with benedryl and steroids, to prevent major problems and it worked well. I know that would not help with the actual valve, but maybe it would help with some of the things you have to come in contact with during surgery or the hospital stay?

 

[kpearse]

I have nothing to add, no info to give. Just like your name.

 

[drivetopless]

Yes loading up on benadryl defintely helps when I have an exposure. Sometimes, I have to do a round of Prednisone, though, and that is bad for healing.

 

[Lynlw]

Yes loading up on benadryl defintely helps when I have an exposure. Sometimes, I have to do a round of Prednisone, though, and that is bad for healing.

Yes, I know from when Justin was on it both before surgery for the caths dye and a few times after surgery for weeks/months for his pericardial effusions he tends to get. but sometimes thats the only option so it this might sound mean and I do NOT mean it to, but you just have to deal with it.
the more I think of it, probably your best bet for the actual valve MIGHT be the Ross like you mentioned above, with a human valve in your pulmonary position, but again I don't know what other products they HAVE to use for OHS, like the heart lung machine, ect would cause problems.
I think I would talk to as many allergy doctors, surgeons ect, and I don't remember or know if you mentioned where you will be going, but I think a large teaching hospitals were you can have alot of the best doctors in all kinds of fields working together on your team, could be good places to get opinions from.
I'll keep you in my prayers, you can find good answers and this whole thing is as easy as possible.

 

[catwoman]

drivetopless:

I haven't done a search here to see where you're going for surgical consults -- but ...

Have you considered the Cleveland or Mayo clinics? Or at least getting 2nd opinions from either one?

 

[Jeanie]

Wow, you have my empathy for having such a challenging allergic issue. You are wise to be aware of this ahead of time, and likely know more on the subject than any of your Doctors!
Jeanie