the inflammation of the pericardial sac that can follow any type of injury to the heart such as a heart attack or cardiac surgery What is this? o Scientific name: o o
Post-pericardiotomy pericarditis
Common names: o Post-cardiac injury syndrome
o
Post-myocardial infraction syndrome
Symptoms
The symptoms of this syndrome are similar to those of a heart attack
Symptoms include:
Chest pain
Fever
Rapid/Irregular heartbeat
Nausea
Vomiting
Dizziness
Extreme weakness
Sweating
Symptoms of this syndrome appear weeks to months after a heart attack or other heart injury
How do you get it?
The inflammation that comes with Dressler is believed to be an immune system response following damage to the heart. They body reacts to the injures area as it would to any injury of the body by sending immune cells and antibodies to clean up the injury are. Sometimes this response causes inflammation
Who can get it?
People who have suffered a heart attack or another serious heart injury Diagnostic methods
Listening to the heart
Echocardiogram
If the doctor hears a high-pitched ,scratchy sound called a friction rub your heart is inflamed
A test that enables the doctor to see if fluid is collecting around the heart
Chest x-ray
This can help detect fluid building up around the heart or lungs that can help exclude other causes of your symptoms
