Which of the following is a symptom of postpericardiotomy syndrome?

• A. Fever
• B. Cough with sputum
• C. Jaundice
• D. Hematuria

Answer: (A)

Postpericardiotomy syndrome is an inflammatory reaction after cardiac surgery involving the pericardium. It often presents soon after the operation with fever, malaise, and chest pain that can be pleuritic, along with potential pericardial or pleural involvement. Fever reflects this systemic inflammatory response and is one of the hallmark signs of PPS. The other options don’t fit this syndrome: a cough with sputum points to a respiratory infection, jaundice suggests liver or biliary disease, and hematuria indicates kidney or urinary tract issues. So fever is the best match because it directly reflects the inflammatory, post-surgical pericardial process characteristic of PPS.