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
202-877-6924.
Program Director S. Waqas Haider, MD, and Gabby Weissman, 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
Pericarditis
Pericarditis occurs when the tissue surrounding your heart becomes swollen or inflamed.
Pericardial effusion
Pericardial effusion occurs when this tissue is damaged, causing a buildup of extra fluid that puts pressure on the heart.
Pericardial tamponade
The pericardium is a thin membrane that surrounds your heart. Pericardial tamponade is a condition when blood or fluid builds up in this membrane, putting pressure on your heart and prevent it from expanding fully.
Constrictive pericarditis
A condition where the fluid in the pericardial becomes thick or stiff and interferes with the normal diastolic filling of the heart which can lead to severe complications.
Myopericarditis
Myopericarditis is a condition where both the pericardium and the heart muscle becomes enflamed.
Perimyocarditis
A type of pericarditis with evidence of regional wall motion abnormalities with reduced ventricular function.
Myocarditis
Myocarditis causes inflammation of the heart muscle and can damage the heart’s electrical system.
Our providers
Location: Change location Enter your location
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Itshac Ben-Dor, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology, Structural Heart Disease Cardiology & Interventional Cardiology
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Syed Waqas Haider, MD
Cardiology
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Hayder Dhafir Hashim, MD
Interventional Cardiology
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Thomas Edward MacGillivray, MD
Cardiac Surgery
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Gaby Weissman, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology, Structural Heart Disease Cardiology & Cardiac Imaging
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.