Dressler's syndrome is best described as pericarditis occurring after which event?

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Multiple Choice

Dressler's syndrome is best described as pericarditis occurring after which event?

Dressler's syndrome is an autoimmune pericarditis that develops after myocardial injury, most classically following a myocardial infarction. The infarct exposes cardiac antigens, prompting an immune reaction that targets the pericardium weeks later. This presents with pleuritic chest pain, fever, a friction rub, and often an elevated inflammatory response, and may include pericardial effusion. It’s not due to infection. If pericarditis occurs after cardiac surgery, a similar process can occur called postpericardiotomy syndrome, but Dressler’s specifically refers to the post-MI setting. Therefore, the event is myocardial infarction.

Dressler's syndrome is an autoimmune pericarditis that develops after myocardial injury, most classically following a myocardial infarction. The infarct exposes cardiac antigens, prompting an immune reaction that targets the pericardium weeks later. This presents with pleuritic chest pain, fever, a friction rub, and often an elevated inflammatory response, and may include pericardial effusion. It’s not due to infection. If pericarditis occurs after cardiac surgery, a similar process can occur called postpericardiotomy syndrome, but Dressler’s specifically refers to the post-MI setting. Therefore, the event is myocardial infarction.

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