Post pericardiotomy syndrome: a new perspective

The incidence of postpericardiotomy syndrome [PPS] was assessed in 50 patients undergoing open heart surgery. All patients were assessed daily during their hospital stay and at regular every three months for one year. The assessment included clinical criteria of PPS and laboratory investigations. None of the patients had shown manifestations of PPS. There was no correlation between the antiheart antibodies and the clinical course of the patients. It is concluded that the PPS is new a rare post operative complication, however, further study including a larger number of patients is required to assess its true incidence