Infection of an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator: Management Without Removal of the Device in Selected Cases

A case is presented in which an implantable Cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) became infected in the abdominal wall pocket 5 weeks following implantation. There was no evidence clinically or by computed tomographic scan suggesting mediastinal extension of the infection. The infection was treated successfully by debriding the abdominaJ wall pocket followed by a combination of pocket irrigation with antibiotic solution, parenteraJ antibiotics, and long‐term oral antibiotics. This conservative therapy was and avoided removal of the device.