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Heart Disease Community
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Chest pain following CABG, pericardial window
by jgrowe, Sep 06, 2007 03:02PM
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?
Member Comments
by ss1623, Apr 25, 2008 09:15AM
To: jgrowe
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!!!
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