Issue 5/2026
Valova1, T., Ilieva2, L.
1 Clinic of cardiology, Military Medical Academy – Sofia
2 Medical University- Sofia
Invasive cardiac procedures can cause myocardial, epicardial, and pericardial trauma. Tissue damage can lead to a collection of blood in the pericardium. This condition triggers immune responses that cause inflammation in susceptible individuals and increase the risk after surgical interventions. Dressler syndrome is a secondary pericarditis with a probable autoimmune genesis. It presents with pericarditis, pleurisy, and pneumonitis. The clinical picture is variable and requires emergency treatment, which includes acetylsalicylic acid and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Steroids are used in severe cases. Colchicine and immunotherapy are effective in idiopathic pericarditis, but their benefit in the treatment of post-cardiotomic syndrome is less clear.
Key words: post-cardiac injury syndrome, Dressler syndrome, secondary pericarditis
Adress for correspondence:
Dr. T. Valova
Clinic of Cardiology, Military Medical Academy – Sofia
3, „Sv. Georgi Sofiisky“, Str.
1606, Sofia