Dressler syndrome is an inflammatory condition affecting the heart muscle, caused by an overactive immune response to heart injury or disease. Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Treatment involves managing symptoms with anti-inflammatory medication, and in severe cases, surgery may be required.
Dressler syndrome is an inflammatory condition that can adversely affect the physiology of the heart muscle. Named after the cardiologist William Dressler who first described the condition in the 1950s, Dressler syndrome is a form of pericarditis that can become chronic. The condition is thought to result from the body’s overactive immunological response to injury or disease affecting the heart. Treatment for Dressler syndrome focuses on managing symptoms and may involve the use of anti-inflammatory medications.
Injuries to the heart muscle will generally trigger the production of antibodies in an attempt to repair any resulting physical damage. When antibody production goes on unnecessarily, it can inflame the delicate membranous tissue that surrounds the heart, known as the pericardium. Pericardial inflammation often occurs after sustained physical damage resulting from trauma to the heart muscle, such as that can occur during a heart attack. Also known as post myocardial infarction syndrome, Dressler syndrome can cause fluid to accumulate within the pericardium, known as a pericardial effusion, impairing heart function.
Post-myocardial infarction syndrome is usually detected with diagnostic tests to evaluate the condition and function of the heart muscle. If a pericardial effusion is suspected in combination with Dressler syndrome, imaging tests, such as an echocardiogram and chest X-ray, may be used to evaluate fluid accumulation around the heart muscle. Additional laboratory tests, including a blood panel, may be done to check for markers suggestive of inflammation, such as an elevated white blood cell (WBC) count.
Individuals with Dressler syndrome will generally develop signs and symptoms that can mimic those associated with a heart attack. Inflammation of the pericardium can lead to severe chest pain which may be accompanied by shortness of breath. Some people may experience pronounced fatigue or malaise that may or may not present with a fever. If a pericardial effusion is allowed to progress, individuals may develop paleness, heart palpitations, or fainting.
If Dressler syndrome symptoms are ignored, serious complications can occur. Increased fluid accumulation within the pericardium can impair cardiac function. Chronic inflammation of the pericardium can also cause permanent damage to the pericardium, such as scarring, which can inhibit circulation and the heart’s ability to flex and pump properly. Those with impaired cardiovascular function may also be at risk of developing secondary conditions such as lung inflammation or pleurisy.
In most cases, over-the-counter (OTC) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be used to relieve minor discomfort. Moderate cases of Dressler syndrome may require the administration of anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pericardial irritation. Additional medications may also be given to suppress the body’s immune response to existing inflammation. Excessive fluid accumulation or pericardial scarring may require surgical placement of the catheter to relieve pressure or removal of the pericardium.
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