Constrictive pericarditis: a case requiring pericardiectomy following Dressler's postmyocardial infarction syndrome.

Exertional neck tightness developed 6 months following a myocardial infarction that was complicated by Dressler's syndrome. The patient's symptoms were initially interpreted as angina pectoris but did not respond to antianginal therapy. Findings at cardiac catheterization were indicative of constructive pericarditis. The diagnosis was confirmed at pericardiectomy and the symptoms resolved completely postoperatively. Constrictive pericarditis should be considered as an unusual but important sequel of Dressler's postmyocardial infarction syndrome.