Postcardiac Injury Syndrome

Before describing it, it helps to know when it appears: post-cardiac injury syndrome (or postcardiac syndrome, historically Dressler syndrome) can appear weeks after damage to the heart, such as a heart attack or heart surgery. It is an inflammatory reaction of the membranes that surround the heart.

What is observed: it usually presents with chest pain, fever, and signs of inflammation of the pericardium or the pleura.

Why it occurs: it is thought to be a response of the body itself to the affected heart tissue after the initial injury.

Who evaluates it: the cardiologist is the specialist suited to study it, and the cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon takes part when it is related to a prior heart intervention. If after a cardiac event chest pain or fever that does not ease appears, it is advisable to discuss it with your doctor as soon as possible.