Letters to the Editor
Development of post-pericardiotomy syndrome is preceded by an increase in pro-inflammatory and a decrease in anti-inflammatory serological markers
1 University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway
2 Coronary Care Unit, Division of Internal Medicine, Nordland Hospital, Bodø, Norway
3 Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway
Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery 2012, 7:72 doi:10.1186/1749-8090-7-72
Published: 23 July 2012Abstract
The post-pericardiotomy syndrome (PPS) is a common complication after cardiac surgery, occuring in 10-40% of patients. PPS may prolong hospitalization, and even serious complications like tamponade and constrictive pericarditis may occur. Early diagnosis and treatment may reduce morbidity. In 50 patients transferred to our hospital after cardiac surgery we found an increase in pro-inflammatory and a decrease in anti-inflammatory cytokines at admission in the patients later developing PPS compared to the patients who did not develop PPS. If confirmed in larger studies, these findings may prove useful in early identification of and targeted treatment in patients developing PPS.
