High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin in recurrent postpericardiotomy syndrome.

Postpericardiotomy syndrome is a frequent complication following cardiac surgery. It is characterized by fever, chest pain, pericardial friction rub or pericardial effusion, and laboratory signs of inflammation. Treatment includes the use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents, corticosteroids, and pericardial drainage. We describe a patient with chronic postpericardiotomy syndrome and steroid dependency who was successfully treated by single administration of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin.