Key result
Pericardiocentesis and anti-inflammatory therapy successfully resolve post-CABG Dressler's syndrome cardiac tamponade.
Why the study?
Dressler's syndrome is an inflammatory complication following myocardial injury or cardiac surgery that rarely progresses to clinically significant pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade.
Case Report (n=1)
No
Highlights the importance of recognizing post-pericardiotomy syndrome (Dressler's syndrome) as a potentially life-threatening cause of delayed pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade following coronary artery bypass grafting.
Post-CABG tamponade vigilance is warranted; this case leaves open incidence and optimal management questions.
Dressler’s syndrome is an inflammatory complication following myocardial injury or cardiac surgery that may rarely progress to clinically significant pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade. We report a case of a patient who developed delayed symptomatic pericardial effusion following coronary artery bypass grafting, with echocardiography demonstrating tamponade physiology requiring urgent pericardiocentesis and drainage. The patient was subsequently managed with anti-inflammatory therapy with clinical and echocardiographic improvement, highlighting the importance of recognizing PPS as a potentially life-threatening cause of delayed post- coronary artery bypass grafting pericardial effusion.
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Jose et al. (2026) conducted a case report in Dressler's syndrome (post-pericardiotomy syndrome) presenting with cardiac tamponade (n=1). Emergent pericardiocentesis and anti-inflammatory therapy (aspirin, prednisolone, and colchicine) was evaluated on Resolution of cardiac tamponade and pericardial effusion without recurrence. Emergent pericardiocentesis (500 mL drained) and anti-inflammatory therapy resolved post-CABG Dressler's syndrome cardiac tamponade in a 66-year-old man, with no recurrence at 1 month.
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