Postpericardiotomy Syndrome Information

Statistics show that the increased number of the cardiac operations performed in the United States is directly related to the increased number of patients diagnosed with postpericardiotomy syndrome. The postpericardiotomy syndrome is considered to be a complication of a certain cardiac surgery, and it develops more particularly when the pericardium is opened. The syndrome does not occur right after the operation, but a few days or even weeks after, mostly during the time when the patient had returned home to recover.

Postpericardiotomy syndrome is said to occur in as many as 50% of the patients who had undergone surgery to the heart. The postpericardiotomy syndrome is considered to be another disease that targets the body’s immune system and so it is referred to as an autoimmune disease. The presence of this disease in the body causes the heart to produce its own set of antibodies to fight off the infection it detects that is caused by a virus.

The Symptoms of Postpericardiotomy Syndrome
The main symptoms of this disease are malaise, dyspnea, anorexia, arthralgia, pleuritic pain, and myalgia. Malaise is the feeling of tiredness, illness, and discomfort that grips a person for apparently no reason at all. Dyspnea is simply shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing. Anorexia is the inability to eat properly, thus causing loss in body weight. Arthralgia is the medical term given to joint pains so intense it seem to be penetrating right through the bones. Pleuritic pain is the pain associated to the lungs and is usually caused by viruses. And lastly, myalgia is type of muscle pain triggered by the overstretching or overworking of the muscles. Aside from all of these, patients are also expected to develop fever and an increased heartbeat.

The Diagnosis of Postpericardiotomy Syndrome
Diagnosing this disease is not really easy, as a series of tests have to be conducted just to arrive at a very accurate diagnosis. First, a complete blood count is conducted. This is to determine the level of the red blood cells and the white blood cells present in the body. After that, an x-ray of the chest has to be performed so that the amount of fluid present inside is the lungs, if any, is detected.

Echocardiography is a standard diagnostic test. This done so that the heart is properly monitored as to what is its response to the disease. Cardiac MRI may also be requested so that a more detailed image of the heart is produced. Some doctors may settle for an ECG or an electrocardiograph in the absence of a more definite test for the heart.

The Treatment of Postpericardiotomy Syndrome
To treat this disease, patients are given anti-inflammatory drugs so that the pain is relieved soon enough, if not instantly. Salicylates are usually given in a 300 milligrams dosage every 6 hours. Prednisone is also prescribed and the dosage of this drug depends upon the weight of the patient. Some doctors may give steroids so that the body’s defense is maximized and viral infections are cast away.

But if these drugs fail to improve the condition of the patient, doctors have to perform the next level of treatment, which is surgery. Specialized surgeons, more particularly the cardiothoracic surgeons, are needed to perform the procedure. Cardiothracic surgeons are medical experts that are best qualified to perform surgery on a patient with the postpericardiotomy syndrome.

And as part of the patient’s treatment therapy, they are advised to avoid strenuous physical activities as they could worsen their condition. For patients who have developed relatively mild cases of postpericardiotomy syndrome, adequate bed rest is needed. And it is strictly required if fever is present in the patient.