Objectives: Postpericardiotomy syndrome (PPS) is a well-known
complication after cardiac surgery. Nevertheless, little is known about
the incidence and predictors of PPS requiring medical
attention/hospitalization in a contemporary set of patients undergoing
isolated coronary bypass.

Methods: This retrospective analysis included 688 patients over the years 2008–2010. Median follow-up time was 5.3 [4.5–6.0] years.

Results:
The incidence of PPS was 61/688 (8.9%) and median time to diagnosis was
21 [11–52] days, but only 13 (22%) patients needed pleural drainage and
3 (4.9%) pericardiocentesis. Patients with PPS had more often ≥1 red
blood cell units transfused (61% vs. 43%, p=0.008) after surgery and
less often diabetes (12% vs. 31% p=0.002) or metformin medication (3.3%
vs. 20%, p=0.001) compared to those without PPS. In multivariable Cox
regression model, renal insufficiency, and ≥1 red blood cell units
transfused remained as independent predictors of PPS and diabetes as
protective factor. Incidence of recurrences was high (38%) and
increasing body mass index was the only predictor of relapse.

Conclusions:
The incidence of symptomatic PPS leading to medical care contact was
markedly lower compared to that reported in older clinical studies. PPS
was associated with the use of red blood cell units and was less common
in patients with medically treated diabetes.