Final answer:
Dressler syndrome is the secondary form of pericarditis that can occur following heart surgery or a heart attack, and is understood to be caused by an autoimmune inflammatory reaction. It's not a result of arterial blockages, but an inflammatory response. The treatment may include anti-inflammatory medications and, in severe cases, drainage of excess fluid.
Step-by-step explanation:
The secondary form of pericarditis that occurs in the setting of injury to the heart or the pericardium, believed to be caused by an autoimmune inflammatory reaction, is known as Dressler syndrome. This condition can arise post-heart surgery or after a myocardial infraction, often leading to symptoms such as chest pain, fever, and fatigue. It is a result of the body's immune system attacking the heart tissue, causing inflammation and potentially leading to further complications like pericardial effusion, wherein an excess fluid builds within the pericardial space around the heart.
While sometimes mistaken for recurrent heart attack, Dressler syndrome differs in that it's not a direct result of arterial blockages, but rather an inflammatory autoimmune response. Treatment typically includes anti-inflammatory medications and in some cases, the drainage of excess fluid from the pericardial sac.
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