Background: Persistent fever of unknown cause is only rarely of cardiac origin, but heart disease must be considered in the differential diagnosis. Aside from endocarditis, pericarditis and various other conditions may be responsible.
Methods: This review is based on pertinent articles retrieved by a selective search in PubMed and Google Scholar employing the term "fever" in combination with "myocardial infarction," "pericarditis," "endocarditis," and "postcardiac injury," with additional consideration of current cardiological guidelines.
Results: Endocarditis is associated with fever in 90% of cases, but 25-50% of patients also develop high body temperatures after acute myocardial infarction. In pericarditis, a temperature above 38°C indicates a poorer prognosis; if accompanied by other warning signs, it is an indication for hospitalization and pericardiocentesis. Fever can arise after cardiac surgical procedures as a manifestation of post - cardiotomy syndrome, a special type of perimyocarditis. There may be a latency period of up to 3 months.
Conclusion: Fever can have both infectious and non-infectious cardiac causes. Its interpretation depends on the clinical context. The evidence base for treatment is sparse, and controlled trials are needed.