Dressler's syndrome is pericarditis that occurs in the setting of injury to the heart or the pericardium (the outer lining of the heart).
Dressler's syndrome is associated with myocardial infarction (heart attack), and with open heart surgery.
Dressler's syndrome is also known as postmyocardial infarction syndrome and postcardiotomy pericarditis.
In the setting of myocardial infarction, Dressler's syndrome occurs in about 7 percent of cases1, and typically occurs 2 to 10 weeks after the myocardial infarction occurred. This differentiates Dressler's syndrome from the much more common post myocardial infarction pericarditis that occurs in 17 to 25 percent of cases of acute myocardial infarction and occurs between days 2 and 4 after the infarction.
Treatment
Dressler's syndrome is typically treated with high-dose salicylates.
Related topics
References
1. Krainin FM, Flessas AP, Spodick DH. Infarction-associated pericarditis. Rarity of diagnostic electrocardiogram. N Engl J Med. 1984 Nov 8;311(19):1211-4. (Medline abstract)
Last updated: 06-20-2005 17:14:16
