Dressler syndrome

Dressler syndrome is a secondary form of pericarditis that occurs in the setting of injury to the heart or the pericardium (the outer lining of the heart). It consists of fever, pleuritic pain, pericarditis and/or a pericardial effusion. Also known as postmyocardial infarction syndrome and the term is sometimes used to refer to post-pericardiotomy pericarditis. It was first characterized by William Dressler at Maimonides Medical Center in 1956. Usually evidenced by a pericardial friction rub, chest pain worsening when recumbent, and diffuse ST elevation with PR segment depression and/or a pericardial effusion. Very rarely leads to pericardial tamponade.Elevated ESR is an objective but nonspecific laboratory finding. Treatment will be high dose of aspirin, corticosteroids and NSAIDS