Bilaterale pneumonia after myocardial infarction

A 63-year-old man was admitted with fever and bilateral pulmonary infiltrates accompanied by pleural effusion a few days after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty and stent implantation. The diagnosis of early postmyocardial infarction syndrome (Dressler's syndrome) with pulmonary infiltrates was made after ruling out possible differential diagnosis such as pneumonia and congestive heart failure. Infiltrates and markers of inflammation resolved rapidly with systemic steroid therapy. Etiology, diagnosis and treatment of this immunological reaction with inflammation of pericardium, pleura and often pulmonary parenchyma are discussed.