Fever, Splenomegaly, Lymphocytosis and Eosinophilia: A New Post-Cardiotomy Syndrome

Soon after the development of "closed" techniques for the surgical repair of acquired cardiac valvular lesions, a postoperative syndrome characterized mainly by the development of fever and pleuropericarditis was recognized in many of the patients undergoing these procedures.' The advent of "open" cardiac surgical procedures employing cardiopulmonary bypass has resulted in the recent recognition of another puzzling postoperative syndrome."' Some patients undergoing these procedures have developed a self-limited postoperative episode of fever, splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, lymphocytosis and eosinophilia. In the present report the clinical and laboratory manifestations of this new post-cardiotomy syndrome are described in three children following open-heart repair of congenital cardiac defects.