Dressler’s syndrome (Postmyocardial infarction syndrome)

Dressler’s syndrome, also known as postmyocardial infarction syndrome (PMIS), is a form of post-cardiac injury syndrome (PCIS) characterized by pericarditis (inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart) that develops after injury to the heart or pericardium. It most commonly occurs following a heart attack (myocardial infarction), but similar autoimmune inflammation may also develop after heart surgery or certain cardiac procedures.

A related condition known as postpericardiotomy syndrome (PPS) occurs specifically after surgery involving the pericardium.

Dressler’s syndrome is believed to result from an autoimmune response in which the immune system mistakenly attacks heart tissue exposed during the injury, leading to inflammation of the pericardium.

Symptoms appear anywhere between one week to one month after a heart attack, surgery, or injury to the chest. Some common symptoms include chest pain, fatigue, difficulty breathing, weakness, or fever.

Pleural effusion (​​buildup of fluid between the tissues that line the lungs and the chest), cardiac tamponade (compression of the heart caused by fluid collecting in the sac surrounding the heart), dyspnea (difficulty breathing), and tachycardia (rapid heartbeat).

People who have recently suffered a myocardial infarction are at risk of developing Dressler’s syndrome. Additional factors linked to the disease include viral infection, recent heart surgery, prior history of pericarditis, prednisone treatment, age, blood type, and exposure to halothane anesthesia.