Dressler's syndrome and angina pectoris relieved by surgery.

A 49-year-old woman with progressive angina pectoris developed chronic Dressler's syndrome following a second myocardial infarction. Control of the chronic pericarditis required long-term steroid therapy. Because of multiple complications generated by the steroid administration, she underwent coronary angiography followed by pericardiectomy and coronary artery bypass surgery. The patient remains asymptomatic without steroid or antianginal medication five years after surgery.