|
|
Pericarditis - After Heart Attack
Alternate Names : Dressler's Syndrome, Post-Cardiac Injury Syndrome, Postcardiotomy Pericarditis, Post-MI Pericarditis
Definition Pericarditis is an inflammation and swelling of the pericardium (the sac-like covering of the heart), which can occur in the days or weeks following a heart attack.
Pictures & Images
See all Pictures & Images
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Pericarditis may occur within 2 to 5 days after a heart attack (acute MI), or it may occur as much as 11 weeks later. The condition is called Dressler's syndrome when it persists for weeks or months after a heart attack. Pericarditis can also be caused by open heart surgery, stab wounds to the heart and blunt chest trauma. It may involve repeated episodes of symptoms.
Pericarditis occuring shortly after a heart attack is caused by the inflammatory response to blood in the pericardial sac or by the presence of dead or severely damaged tissue in the heart muscle. During the period of inflammation, the immune system tries to clean up the heart after injury, but it can sometimes go too far and attack healthy cells by mistake. Pain occurs when the inflamed pericardium rubs on the heart.
Early pericarditis complicates 7% to 10% of heart attacks. Dressler's syndrome is seen in only 1% of patients after heart attack. Risks include previous heart attack, open heart surgery, or chest trauma.
Today's Top News Stories | | Falls Are Top Cause of Injury, Death Among Elderly - Jul 19, 2008, 09:00 Not all homes are the same, but common sense measures can reduce the risk, expert says. | | Heart Blood Vessels Grown in the Lab - Jul 18, 2008, 19:00 Could offer a future alternative to bypass surgery, researchers say. | | Clinical Trials Update: July 18, 2008 - Jul 18, 2008, 09:24
- Breast Cancer
- Hot Flashes
- Emphysema
| | Loud Music in Bars Hastens Drinking - Jul 18, 2008, 16:00 French researchers say blasting tunes makes patrons down more alcohol in less time. | | Breast-Fed Babies Have Fewer GI Infections - Jul 18, 2008, 17:00 But they're more likely to be iron-deficient, study finds. |
|
Jump to another section
Definition Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors Symptoms & Signs Diagnosis & Tests Treatment Prognosis Complications Calling Your Health Care Provider
Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
Cardiac Tamponade Heart Attack Heart Failure Pericarditis Pleural Effusion Pulmonary Edema
Tests & Exams
CBC Chest MRI Chest X-Ray ECG Echocardiogram ESR Pericardiocentesis Thoracic CT WBC Count
Surgery & Procedures
Open Heart Surgery
Other Topics
Breathing Difficulty Chest Pain Chronic Cough Fatigue Fever Heart Murmurs and Other Sounds Immune Response Malaise Pain Medications Stress and Anxiety
Review Date : 11/11/2002
Reviewed By : Thippeswamy H. Murthy, M.D., Division of Cardiology, Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
|
|