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Pericarditis - after heart attack - Treatment

Alternative Names

Dressler 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 don't work, 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 calledpericardiocentesis. 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:

Calling your health care provider:

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

Call your health care provider if pericarditis has been diagnosed and symptoms continue or come back, despite treatment.

Acute MI

Post-MI pericarditis

Pericardium

Reviewed last on: 9/3/2008
Larry A. Weinrauch, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Cardiovascular Disease and Clinical Outcomes Research, Watertown, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

LeWinter MM. Pericardial Diseases. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa; Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 70.

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