post-pericardiotomy syndrome

Q: In cardiac surgery which of the following has the LEAST occurrence in post-pericardiotomy syndrome? 

A) Pericardial effusion 

B) Cardiac tamponade 

C) Elevated C-reactive protein 

D) Pericardial rub 

E) ECG changes 

Answer: B

Although some level of pericardial effusion occurs in almost 90 percent of the patients after cardiac surgery, overt cardiac tamponade occurs in only about 2 percent of the cases. 

Another interesting phenomenon i.e., the classic ST elevation in all leads of EKG can be noticed only in one-fourth of the patients but high CRP can be obtained in three-fourth of the patients. 

Other common findings are pleuritic chest pain, fever, and pericardial rub.

#surgical-critical-care

#cardiology

Reference:

Imazio M, Brucato A, Rovere ME, et al. Contemporary features, risk factors, and prognosis of the post-pericardiotomy syndrome. Am J Cardiol 2011; 108:1183.