Chest pain following CABG, pericardial window

[jgrowe]

I'm a 48 year-old male. I had bypass surgery this past May, and in early July was diagnosed with pericarditis (Dressler's) with a small effusion. I was treated with NSAIDs and prednisone, but the effusion grew. After draining the effusion, I finally had a window cut in my pericardium.  I had a follow-up echocardiogram two weeks ago which showed no pockets of fluid remaining.  However, I still have persistent low-grade chest pain. I don't believe this is angina, as I've had numerouos EKGs and enzyme tests during my treatment for pericarditis and I have no other symptoms. My cardiologist thinks the pain  may be caused by residual inflammation, but continued prednisone and NSAID treatment has not helped.  Can this pain simply be related to healing from the two surgeries, or should I consult with another doctor to determine its cause?

[nyandesh]

Hello, I have the very same problem. I am 40 years old male and 2 years ago I was diagnosed with Pericarditis which they ended doing a pericardial window. I though everything resolved. Since then, I have been admitted to the hospital twice thinking i was developing a heart attack. After all the checkups, they said I have an inflammation and gave me medications. I have to mention something funny that happened a few days ago. I was in doing an MRI with the dye. They sprayed under my tongue with something to dilate my veins, I felt the dye rash to my body and warm me up. After the warm up, ALL THE PAIN I WAS FEELING LEFT IMMEDIATELY until after I got discharged and arrived home. I am still in pain which is worse in the evenings whether I work or don't. Anyone with an answer please help.( My pericarditis was Idiopathic/no cause was found).

[nursel457]

I had  CABG done 3 weeks ago. Today I was diagnosed with fluid around the left side of my heart. Is this serious?

[nyandesh]

That sounds like pericarditis. They will treat it. Give more info.

[ss1623]

I am a 20 year old female, and a little over 10 years ago I was diagnosed with pericarditis. They drained the fluid twice and eventually had to cut a window. Ever since then and for as long as I can remember I have inconsistently had intense dull chest pain. It varies in location: Sometimes it is on the left side and sometimes the right, during these times it can be more intense in the front or in the back or just all the way through. The only thing that I can somewhat tie it to is over exertion, such as carrying my over-stuffed back pack for long periods of time, or too much exercise. I hate these pains and I want them to go away. It feels like I am having a Heart Attack at the age of 20 and there is nothing I can do about it!!!