Post-MI pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium (the
sac-like covering of the heart). Any previous injury to the heart
muscle can cause pericarditis. Incidences of pericarditis are
associated with Dressler's syndrome, after a heart attack, open
heart surgery, and may also follow stab wounds to the heart or
blunt chest trauma. Pain occurs when the inflamed pericardium rubs
on the heart.
Review Date: 07/10/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of
General Medicine, Department of Medicine, Unviersity of Washington
School of Medicine; and Michael A. Chen, MD, PhD, Assistant
Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Harborview Medical
Center, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle,
Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical
Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
