Dressler's syndrome, also known as postpericardiotomy syndrome (PPCS), is an immune response occurring days or months after cardiac injury that results in pleuritis and pericarditis. It is characterized by chest pain, pericardial rub, fever, and pleural effusions. Treatment involves aspirin, NSAIDs, or colchicine. Prednisone may be used but is avoided in recent myocardial infarction patients due to risk of aneurysm or wall rupture. Pleural effusions have many potential causes including heart failure, atelectasis, hepatic hydrothorax, hypoalbuminemia, and constrictive pericarditis. Diagnosis involves analyzing pleural fluid characteristics and