Current opinion in pulmonary medicine
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The postpericardiotomy syndrome (PPS) is a relatively common complication following cardiac surgery, whose epidemiology is not well known because there are no standardized definitions. The aim of the present study is to review more recent updates on the diagnosis, therapy, prognosis, and especially prevention of the PPS. ⋯ Contemporary series of the PPS are scarce. About 20% of patients are affected by the syndrome after cardiac surgery with a significant increase in hospital stay, readmissions, and management costs. The overall short-term and middle-term prognosis is relatively good but constriction may develop in a long-term follow-up in a minority of patients. Therapeutic and preventive strategies, especially based on the use of colchicine, are worthy of further investigations to develop a more evidence-based approach to treatment and prevention.