Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Pericardial Diseases
Pericardial disease includes a group of conditions that affect the pericardium, the double layered sac that surrounds the heart.
The Cleveland Clinic Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Pericardial Diseases is a multidisciplinary specialty treatment group dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of pericardial diseases – whether it is acute (develops suddenly), chronic (persistent) or recurrent (comes back).
| What we treat | Our medical team | Make an appointment | More Info
What we treat
The Pericardial Disease Team brings together clinicians that specialize in pericardial diseases. The team includes physicians and nurses from Cardiovascular Medicine, Rheumatology, Infectious Disease, Oncology, Radiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery with expertise in diagnostic testing, medical management and surgical procedures for patients with:
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Allan Klein, M.D. – Director
Miller Family Heart and Vascular Institute: Cardiovascular Medicine and Imaging
Imaging specialists use the latest imaging techniques, such as tissue Doppler imaging, color M-Mode Doppler, transesophageal echocardiography, MR and CT help to distinguish the specific type of pericarditis, detect complications of pericarditis, and determine the best treatment. This group of physicians will evaluate you and begin to develop your plan of care. They are all specialized to perform echo-guided pericardiocentesis.
Miller Family Heart and Vascular Institute: Cardiovascular Medicine, Section of Imaging, Specialized Testing
When MRI or CT is required to confirm a diagnosis, this group of physicians help to identify the best test to use and determine the results.
Miller Family Heart and Vascular Institute: Cardiovascular Medicine, Hemodynamic Diagnostics
In some cases, specialized cardiac catheterization hemodynamic measurements with dual chamber catheters and respirometer are needed to pinpoint the diagnosis and target treatment.
Miller Family Heart and Vascular Institute: Cardiothoracic Surgery
Surgical procedures for pericardial disease include pericardiectomy, percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy, pericardial window, and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).
Cardiovascular surgeons:
Thoracic surgeons:
Other specialties
Other specialties are often needed to assist in confirming a diagnosis or treating an underlying or associated condition. These medical professionals are experts in their field and have a particular specialty interest in the treatment of pericardial diseases.
Rheumatologic and Immunologic Disease
Infectious Disease
Oncology
Cardiac Anesthesiology
Pathology
Cytology
Genetics
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Make an Appointment
The Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Pericardial Diseases is located at Desk J1- 5, on the first floor of the new Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart and Vascular Institute.
To make an appointment, please call toll-free 800-659-7822 Cardiology Appointments or Request an Appointment online. Let the appointment office know if you are having acute symptoms. When you make your appointment, ask the appointment secretary for the name of your physician.
Physician Referrals - Call 800-659-7822 (or call physicians’ office directly).
Before your appointment
If you are scheduled at least one week away,you will be asked to send in your records, including medical history, test results and films (such as echocardiogram, chest x-ray, MRI or CT as applicable).All information should be sent in the same package (clearly marked with your name and address) via Airborne Express, Federal Express, or certified U.S. mail (make sure you have a tracking number) to the physician with which you have an appointment. The address is:
Physician Name
Pericardial Center
Cleveland Clinic
9500 Euclid Avenue – Desk J1-5
Cleveland, OH 44195
If you are scheduled less than one week out, please bring your records to your appointment.
What to expect during your appointment
You will meet with a nurse who will collect your information, and begin the documentation process.
Depending on the specific type of pericardial disease, you may be sent for specialized blood tests and imaging tests (electrocardiogram, comprehensive transthoracic echocardiogram, transesophageal echocardiogram, cardiac MR and multidetector CT scanning). All imaging tests will be interpreted by imaging specialists within the Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Pericardial Diseases. Some patients will also be scheduled for a specialized cardiac catheterization which will be performed by a hemodynamic diagnostic specialist with the Center.
You will then meet with your Center cardiologist who will review your records and take a medical history,perform a physical exam, and advise on consultations with other specialists (cardiac and thoracic surgeons, infectious disease specialists, rheumatologists, and/or oncologists) within the Center as needed. If you need to meet with one of the multidisciplinary specialists, they will be consulted within 1to 2 days. The Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Pericardial Diseases Cardiologist will provide you with a diagnosis and plan of care.
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How long will you need to stay at Cleveland Clinic?
To complete all testing, you will need to stay in the Cleveland area for 1 to 2 days.
Follow-up
Most follow-up will be done in 6 months to 1 year or as needed. There is an opportunity for telephone follow-up as well.
Travel to the Cleveland Clinic
When you make your appointment, we would like to make traveling to the Cleveland Clinic as easy as possible. Click here for information on travel to the Miller Family Heart and Vascular Institute.
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More Information
To make an appointment with the Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Pericardial Diseases - Call toll free 800-659-7822.
If you need more information, contact us online, chat online with a nurse or call the Miller Family Heart and Vascular Institute Resource & Information Nurse at 216.445.9288 or toll-free at 866.289.6911. We would be happy to help you.
Know someone who could use this information? Send them this link.
This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition.
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