Post-cardiac injury syndromes. An emerging cause of pericardial diseases

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Immunology

Background:

• Post-cardiac injury syndromes (PCIS) encompass a spectrum of inflammatory conditions following cardiac trauma.
• These include post-myocardial infarction pericarditis, post-pericardiotomy syndrome, and post-traumatic pericarditis (iatrogenic or non-iatrogenic).
• PCIS involves initial cardiac injury affecting the pericardium, myocardium, or pleura, leading to subsequent inflammatory responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define and categorize post-cardiac injury syndromes.
• To elucidate the underlying immune-mediated etiopathogenesis.
• To outline current therapeutic strategies.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical conditions characterized by cardiac injury and subsequent inflammation.
• Discussion of presumed immune-mediated mechanisms.
• Summary of established treatment protocols.

Main Results:

• PCIS presents with varying severity, from uncomplicated pericarditis to complex pleuropericarditis, cardiac tamponade, or pleural effusion.
• The etiopathogenesis is hypothesized to involve autoreactive responses in predisposed individuals post-injury.
• Anti-inflammatory therapy and colchicine are the primary treatment modalities.

Conclusions:

• Post-cardiac injury syndromes are a group of inflammatory conditions with diverse clinical presentations.
• An immune-mediated mechanism is suspected following initial cardiac trauma.
• Anti-inflammatory agents and colchicine are effective for managing and preventing PCIS.