Painful Eczema Mimicking Pocket Infection in a Patient With an ICD

Abstract

A 74-year-old man with severe ischemic cardiomyopathy and chronic persistent dyspnea was referred to our institution for discussion of cardiac resynchronization therapy with backup anti tachycardia protection. The patient's medical background consisted of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, a remote lung cancer, and a recent resection of a basocellular carcinoma on the neck; no history of allergy to nickel/cobalt alloy or other contact reaction was noted. After clinical and echocardiographic assessment, the patient was determined to be eligible for cardiac resynchronization therapy with an implanted cardioverter-defibrillator according to guidelines. After successful implantation, substantial clinical improvement was observed during the follow-up. Although he remained in New York Heart Association class II, the patient complained of …