Dyspnea and Pericardial rub post MI (333/1700)

A 60yo pt who has had a MI a week back presents with dyspnea and pericardial rub. ECG shows
ST elevation. CXR: loss of margin at costo-vertebral angle. What is the single most likely cause?
a. Cardiac tamponade
b. Mitral regurge
c. Dressler’s syndrome
d. Atrial fib
e. Emboli





























answer: C

Acute Pericarditis Triad
• Chest pain
• Friction rub
• ECG changes

Dressler’s syndrome was first described in 1956. It is characterised by pleuritic chest pain, low-grade fever and pericarditis (autopsy shows localised fibrinous pericarditis), which may be accompanied by pericardial effusion. It tends to follow a benign clinical course. It is thought to be immune-mediated (antiheart antibodies may be present).