Dressler’s SyndromePostpericardiectomy/PostmyocardialInfarction Syndrome

Dressler’s SyndromePostpericardiectomy/PostmyocardialInfarction Syndrome

©  William Herring, MD, FACR

Dressler’s SyndromeGeneral

Incidence: about 4% followingtransmural infarction

Probably higher in open heart surgery

Believed to have immunologic cause

Dressler’s SyndromeClinical

Symptoms appear 2-3 weeks followinginfarct/surgery–sometimes years

Chest pain (91%), fever, pericardial andpleural effusion

Also rales, SOB and leukocytosis

Pleural tap: bloody exudate

Dressler’s SyndromeX-ray

Pleural effusions (83%)

Parenchymal opacities (74%)

Enlarged cardiac silhouette (49%)

Dressler’s Syndrome-Post-op Open heartSurgery Day 13

Dressler’s SyndromeTreatment

Aspirin

Steroids