Comprehensive care for pericardial disease patients
Our program is led by cardiologists and cardiac surgeons with a special interest in treatment of the full scope of pericardial diseases which includes pericarditis, pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, Dressler’s syndrome, constrictive pericarditis, and other related conditions.
The pericardium is the flexible two-layered sac that surrounds the heart. Pericarditis, or inflammation of the pericardium, is the most common type of pericardial disease. It is diagnosed in about 0.1 percent of hospitalized patients and in five percent of patients admitted to emergency departments with noncardiac chest pain.
The pericardial disease program offers care to a clinically complex and diverse patient population. Our program is part of the cardiology clinic at MedStar Washington Hospital Center located in Washington, D.C.
For more information about the MedStar Health Pericardial Diseases program, please call
202-877-5975.
Program Director S. Wagas Haider, MD, and Gabby Weisman, MD, view image of the heart of a patient with pericardial disease.
Testing
Diagnostic tests and imaging procedures are an integral component of the initial diagnosis of pericardial disease and ongoing management of these medical conditions. Our specialists may recommend one or more diagnostic and imaging procedures.
Blood tests
Chest X-rays
Chest X-rays are a common exam and often one of the first procedures you will have if the doctor suspects you have heart or lung disease. The test uses a small dose of radiation to create pictures of the structures inside the chest, including the lungs, heart, and chest wall.
Computerized tomography (CT) scan
The cardiac computed tomography scan, or cardiac CT, uses X-rays to create three-dimensional images of your heart and blood vessels.
Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of your heart.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
An electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG, measures the heart’s electrical activity.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Magnetic resonance imaging, better known as cardiac MRI, is a combination of radio waves, magnets, and computer technology to create images of your heart and blood vessels.
Left and right cardiac catheterization
Cardiac catheterization is another way to diagnose and treat a variety of heart and vascular conditions by guiding thin, flexible tubes called catheters through blood vessels to problem areas.
Conditions
Advanced heart failure
Advanced heart failure is a form of heart failure that has progressed to the most serious stage.
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC)
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a rare genetic abnormality of the heart muscle.
Heart failure
Heart failure occurs when your heart doesn’t fill with enough blood or doesn’t pump enough blood throughout your body.
Peripartum cardiomyopathy
Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare form of heart failure that can develop during or up to six months after pregnancy.
Our providers
Location: Change location Enter your location
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Nana Afari-Armah, MD
Heart Failure And Transplantation Cardiology
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Jennifer Rebecca Brown, MD
Heart Failure And Transplantation Cardiology & Cardiology
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Patrick Correlli, PA-C
Heart Failure And Transplantation Cardiology & Internal Medicine
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Erika D Feller, MD
Heart Failure And Transplantation Cardiology
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Richa Gupta, MD, MPH
Heart Failure And Transplantation Cardiology
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Mark R. Hofmeyer, MD, MS
Cardiology & Heart Failure And Transplantation Cardiology
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Sandeep M Jani, MD
Heart Failure And Transplantation Cardiology
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Rania Kaoukis, MD
Heart Failure And Transplantation Cardiology
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Mrinalini Krishnan, MD
Heart Failure And Transplantation Cardiology
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Phillip Hong Lam, MD
Heart Failure And Transplantation Cardiology
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Samer Samir Najjar, MD
Heart Failure And Transplantation Cardiology
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Miguel A Pinilla Vera, MD
Heart Failure And Transplantation Cardiology
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Maria Esperanza Rodrigo, MBBS
Heart Failure And Transplantation Cardiology
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Farooq H. Sheikh, MD
Heart Failure And Transplantation Cardiology
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Tania A. Vora, MD
Heart Failure And Transplantation Cardiology
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Weining David Xu, MD
Heart Failure And Transplantation Cardiology
Ask MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute
Have general questions for our heart and vascular program? Email us at AskMHVI@medstar.net. If you have clinically-specific questions, please contact your physician’s office.