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Pericarditis - after heart attack

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment

Alternative Names:

Dressler's syndrome; Post-MI pericarditis; Post-cardiac injury syndrome; Postcardiotomy pericarditis

Treatment:

The goal of treatment is to make the heart work better and reduce pain and other symptoms.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) and aspirin may be used to treat inflammation of the pericardium. In extreme cases, when other medicines have failed, steroids or colchicine may be used.

In some cases, excess fluid surrounding the heart may need to be removed. This is done with a procedure called pericardiocentesis . If complications develop, part of the pericardium may need to be removed with surgery (pericardiectomy).

Expectations (prognosis):

The condition may come back even in those who receive treatment. However, untreated pericarditis can be life threatening.

Complications:

• Cardiac tamponade
• Constrictive heart failure
• Pulmonary edema

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if symptoms of pericarditis occur following a heart attack.

Call your health care provider if pericarditis has been diagnosed and symptoms persist or recur despite treatment.

• Review Date: 7/20/2006
• Reviewed By: Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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