The Postpericardiotomy Syndrome and Antiheart Antibodies

In a prospective, double-blind study, heart-reactive antibody in high titer was detected, using an indirect immunofluorescent technique, in the serum of patients in whom the postpericardiotomy syndrome developed after intrapericardial surgery. The syndrome occurred in 26 of 86 consecutive longterm survivors of such surgery, an incidence of 30%. Presence of antibody correlated closely with the clinical syndrome. Demonstration of this antiheart antibody in high titer appears to offer laboratory confirmation of the syndrome.