Immunologic and virologic studies in the postpericardiotomy syndrome

• Published in: The Journal of pediatrics Vol. 87; no. 6; pp. 1103 - 1108
• Main Authors: Engle, Mary Allen, Zabriskie, John B., Senterfit, Laurence B., Tay, Daniel J., Ebert, Paul A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Mosby, Inc 01.12.1975
• Subjects: Adolescent; Antibodies - analysis; Antibody Formation; Child; Child, Preschool; Clinical Trials as Topic; Heart Diseases - immunology; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Myocardium - immunology; Postpericardiotomy Syndrome - diagnosis; Postpericardiotomy Syndrome - immunology; Postpericardiotomy Syndrome - microbiology; Prospective Studies
• ISSN: 0022-3476; 1097-6833
• DOI: 10.1016/S0022-3476(75)80122-3

A prospective, triple-blind study was undertaken to determine whether antiheart antibody or a rise in titer to a virus occurred in patients after intrapericardial surgery and, if so, whether either was related to clinical evidence of the postpericardiotomy syndrome. In 257 patients, AHA in high titer appeared in 62 (24%), all of whom had the syndrome. None of the 102 patients with no AHA had the syndrome. In 137 subjects, a rise in titer to one or more viral agents occurred in 21 of 31 (68%) of those with AHA and PPS. This study suggests that an immunologic response and viral illness are related to PPS.