Which condition leads to inflammation of the pericardium weeks to months after a myocardial infarction?

Dressler's syndrome is a condition characterized by inflammation of the pericardium that typically occurs weeks to months following a myocardial infarction, commonly referred to as a heart attack. This syndrome is an example of a post-myocardial infarction pericarditis due to an immune-mediated response to the myocardial damage caused by the heart attack. In essence, the body reacts to exposure to cardiac antigens that become more pronounced after myocardial injury, leading to secondary inflammation of the pericardium.

This process involves the formation of antibodies against the myocardial proteins that were released during the infarction, resulting in inflammation and associated symptoms such as chest pain and pericardial effusion. Dressler's syndrome is typically identified by its delayed onset, distinguishing it from other forms of pericarditis that might occur immediately after myocardial infarction.

Other conditions mentioned, while related to heart health, do not specifically lead to the post-myocardial infarction inflammation of the pericardium in the same manner or time frame as Dressler's syndrome.