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Post-Cardiac Injury Syndrome — RACP Adult Medicine MCQ

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ModerateGeneral Internal MedicinePost-Cardiac Injury SyndromeRACP Adult Medicine

A 45-year-old woman with post-cardiac surgery develops fever, pleuritic chest pain, and bilateral pleural effusions 4 weeks post-op. Effusion exudate with elevated ADA. Diagnosis?

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Correct answer: D — Post-cardiac injury syndrome

PCIS: pericarditis/pleuritis weeks–months post-cardiac surgery/MI/procedures. Elevated ADA is NOT specific for TB. Treat with NSAIDs + colchicine.

Reference: eTG – 2025 – Cardiovascular; ESC – 2015