Print Overview Pericarditis Enlarge image Close Pericarditis Pericarditis The heart on the left shows the typical outer lining of the heart (pericardium). The heart on the right shows a swollen and infected lining (pericarditis). Dressler syndrome is swelling and irritation of the sac around the heart that happens after damage to the heart muscle. The damage may trigger an immune system response that causes the condition. The damage can result from a heart attack, heart surgery or a serious injury. Symptoms of Dressler syndrome include chest pain that can feel like chest pain from a heart attack. Swelling and irritation of the sac around the heart is called pericarditis. Dressler syndrome is a type of pericarditis that can start after the heart muscle is damaged. So you may hear Dressler syndrome called post-traumatic pericarditis. Some other names for the condition are: Post-myocardial infarction syndrome. Post-cardiac injury syndrome. Post-pericardiotomy syndrome. Products & ServicesA Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book SymptomsSymptoms of Dressler syndrome are likely to start weeks to a few months after a heart attack, surgery or injury to the chest. Symptoms can include: Chest pain, which may get worse with deep breaths. Fever. Shortness of breath. When to see a doctorGet emergency care for sudden or ongoing chest pain. This can be a symptom of a heart attack or another serious condition. Request an appointment CausesExperts think Dressler syndrome is caused by the immune system's response to heart damage. The body reacts to the injured tissue by sending immune cells and proteins called antibodies to clean up and repair the affected area. Sometimes this response causes swelling due to the inflammation in the sac around the heart that's known as the pericardium. Dressler syndrome can happen after a heart attack or some heart surgeries or procedures. It also can happen after a serious injury to the chest, such as trauma from a car accident. Risk factorsDamage to the heart muscle increases the risk of Dressler syndrome. Some things that cause heart muscle are: Chest injury. Some types of heart surgery. Heart attack. ComplicationsA complication of Dressler syndrome is fluid buildup in the tissues surrounding the lungs called pleural effusion. Rarely, Dressler syndrome can cause more-serious complications, including: Cardiac tamponade. Swelling of the pericardium can cause fluid to build up in the sac. The fluid can put pressure on the heart. The pressure forces the heart to work harder, and the heart doesn't pump blood as well as it should. Constrictive pericarditis. Swelling that's ongoing or that keeps coming back can cause the pericardium to become thick or scarred. The scarring can reduce the heart's ability to pump blood. PreventionSome studies suggest that taking the anti-inflammatory medicine colchicine (Colcrys, Gloperba, others) soon after heart surgery may help prevent Dressler syndrome. By Mayo Clinic Staff Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatment Aug. 31, 2024 Print Living with dressler syndrome? Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Heart & Blood Health support group on Mayo Clinic Connect, a patient community. Heart & Blood Health Discussions DVT (deep vein thrombosis) prevention and treatment 44 Replies Tue, Oct 29, 2024 chevron-right Important information about statins that I’m going to ask my doc about 184 Replies Sat, Oct 26, 2024 chevron-right Anyone else out there with extremely high lipoprotein (a)? 173 Replies Wed, Oct 16, 2024 chevron-right See more discussions Show references LeWinter MM. Pericardial complications of myocardial infarction. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed April 17, 2024. Hoit BD. Post-cardiac injury syndromes. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed April 17, 2024. Hoit BD. Etiology of pericardial disease. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed April 17, 2024. Libby P, et al., eds. Pericardial diseases. In: Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Elsevier; 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed April 17, 2024. Walls RM, et al., eds. Pericardial and myocardial disease. In: Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Elsevier; 2023. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed April 17, 2024. Mankad R (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. April 29, 2024. Health Education & Content Services. Pericarditis: Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Mayo Clinic; 2023. Related Associated Procedures Chest X-rays Echocardiogram Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) Products & Services A Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book Dressler syndromeSymptoms&causesDiagnosis&treatment Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. NEW: Listen to Health Matters Podcast - Mayo Clinic PressNEW: Listen to Health Matters PodcastMayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on IncontinenceThe Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic PressThe Essential Diabetes BookMayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on Hearing and BalanceFREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic PressFREE Mayo Clinic Diet AssessmentMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book CON-20371798 Patient Care & Health Information Diseases & Conditions Dressler syndrome