Dressler syndrome

Description

Dressler syndrome: Fibrinous or fibrinohaemorrhagic secondary pericarditis that occurs as a result of injury to the heart or pericardium, either from myocardial infarction (MI) or cardiac surgery. Also known as postmyocardial infarction syndrome

Initially described by William Dressler (1890 – 1969) as a condition developing as early as 2-3 days after a transmural infarct, due to underlying myocardial inflammation

Exact cause is unknown but appears to be an immune-mediated response to injury to pericardial cells with subsequent immune complex deposition in the pericardium causing an inflammatory response

Although an uncommon condition it should be considered in patients with persistent fatigue or malaise following MI or cardiac surgery

History of Dressler syndrome

In an initial study in 1956 examining Dressler Syndrome, William Dressler suggested an incidence rate of 3-4% in patients with myocardial infarction. With modern management these rates now appear to be much lower

Associated Persons

• William (Wilhelm) Dressler (1890-1969)

Alternative names

• Post myocardial infarction syndrome (PMIS)

References

Historical reports

• Dressler W. Post-Myocardial Infarction Syndrome: Preliminary Report of a Complication Resembling Idiopathic, Recurrent, Benign Pericarditis. JAMA. 1956;160(16):1379-1383.
• Dressler W. The post-myocardial-infarction syndrome: a report on forty-four cases. AMA Arch Intern Med. 1959 Jan;103(1):28-42
• Dressler W, Leavitt SS. Pericarditis after acute myocardial infarction. Relapses over period of twenty-eight months. JAMA. 1960 Jul 16;173:1225-6.

Reviews

• Bendjelid K, Pugin J. Is Dressler syndrome dead? Chest. 2004 Nov;126(5):1680-2
• Jaworska-Wilczynska M, Abramczuk E, Hryniewiecki T. Postcardiac injury syndrome. Med Sci Monit. 2011; 17(11): CQ13-14.
• Imazio M et al. Contemporary features, risk factors, and prognosis of the post-pericardiotomy syndrome. Am J Cardiol. 2011; 108(8): 1183-7.
• Kumar V, Abbas A, Aster J. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9e. 2014