Pericarditis: Complications After Congenital Heart Surgery with Dr. Melita Viegas
Video available online at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=va-iwOWxOjc
In this video, Dr. Melita Viegas, a leading congenital heart surgeon, explains pericarditis, a condition in which the pericardium, the sac surrounding the heart, becomes inflamed after cardiac surgery. She discusses why this inflammation can occur following an operation and how it may cause fluid to collect around the heart.
Dr. Viegas also describes how chest tubes typically help drain postoperative fluid, how continued inflammation may appear on an EKG, and how pericarditis is often treated with anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen. She notes that additional medications may occasionally be needed to reduce the inflammatory response. (Video posted on August 12, 2026)
Dr. Viegas also describes how chest tubes typically help drain postoperative fluid, how continued inflammation may appear on an EKG, and how pericarditis is often treated with anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen. She notes that additional medications may occasionally be needed to reduce the inflammatory response. (Video posted on August 12, 2026)
Doctor Interviewed
Congenital Cardiac Surgeon
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, California
(310) 269-0914
(310) 269-0914
