Dressler's syndrome refers to pericarditis and/or pleuritis occurring after acute myocardial infarction. It occurs rarely today.
Diagnoses
(1) recent history of myocardial infarction
(2) one or more of the following:
(2a) pericarditis with pericardial effusion and tamponade
(2b) pleuritis with pleural effusion
(2c) pneumonitis
(3) prolonged course if untreated
(4) exclusion of alternative diagnoses
Clinical presentation:
(1) chest pain
(2) fever
(3) pericardial or pleural rub
Factors increasing risk:
(1) treatment with an oral anticoagulant
(2) large, extensive infarct
Factors decreasing risk:
(1) aggressive therapy with steroids and other anti-inflammatory agents
Differential diagnosis:
(1) autoimmune
(2) infection
