Acute nickel intoxication by dialysis.

ABSTRACT

Nickel intoxication was observed in a group of 23 dialyzed patients when leaching of nickel-plated stainless steel water heater tank contaminated the dialysate. Symptoms occurred during and after dialysis at plasma nickel concentrations of approximately 3 mg/L. Symptoms included nausea (37 of 37), vomiting (31 of 37), weakness (29 of 37), headache (22 of 37), and palpitation (two of 37). Remission of symptoms occurred spontaneously, generally 3 to 13 hours after cessation of dialysis. The evidence indicated that the nickel became bound in the plasma after crossing the membrane, resulting in a higher concentration in the plasma than in the dialysate and preventing its removal by dialysis.