Verapamil-induced secondary erythermalgia

Abstract

Summary A 59-year-old man developed red, swollen and warm feet accompanied by intermittent burning pain during treatment for cardiac failure and arrhythmias with several drugs including verapamil. The condition gradually worsened until there was persistent disabling burning pain and severe erythema and swelling of the feet. Aspirin and other analgesics were ineffective in relieving the discomfort. Histopathology of punch biopsies showed a mild perivascular mononuclear infiltrate and moderate perivascular oedema. Within 2 weeks of stopping verapamil the burning pain, erythema, and swelling of the feet had resolved. The clinical features and subsequent course are consistent with a diagnosis of erythermalgia secondary to verapamil.