Dressler's syndrome / postpericardiotomy syndrome / postmyocardial infarction syndrome

Dressler's syndrome is
- secondary form of pericarditis that occurs in the setting of injury to the heart or the pericardium
- a complication that can occur after

• a heart attack
• heart surgery
• pericardium becomes inflamed

- thought to develop as an immune system response following a heart attack or heart surgery reaction to myocardial neo-antigens
- easily treated with medications that reduce inflammation
- repeated episodes of Dressler's syndrome can lead to a condition called constrictive pericarditis

sign and symptoms

• fever
• chest pain
• shortness of breath
• fever

*feels like another heart attack