pericardiectomy and johns hopkins hospital

I am a 42 year old woman with a history of Hodgkins Disease (in remission for 23 years). I was just diagnosed with constrictive pericarditis caused by the radiation therapy I had for the Hodgkins.  I am working with a cardiologist from Johns Hopkins (I live in Maryland) and wanted to see if anyone has any information about Pericardiectomies done at Hopkins.

Thanks,

Mary

JH is one of the top training hospitals in the nation, but I do not know their experience with pericardectomies. However, that being said, I am sure they will have very capable people there to do pericardectomy.

Hi,
it might be useful to read the threads about pericarditis and pericardiectomy (if you haven't already). It seems there are only two places in the country that regularly do pericardiectomies for constrictive pericarditis - the Mayo CLinic and the Cleveland Clinic. My cardiologist from another teaching hospital is sending me to the Mayo for the surgery rather than have it done locally. Lots of places do pericardiectomies for problems resulting from post-surgery scarring, but apparently that is a VERY different operation thatn the one for constrictive pericarditis.

Good luck. This is a good site for help - because so many of the poeple have already walked the path and are caring and willing to share their esperiences and accumulated knowledge.