Anatomic Pathology Consult Page

Cardiac Pathology

The Cardiac Pathology Service is an integral part of Johns Hopkins' internationally recognized program for the study and treatment of heart disease. In addition to our work with the hospital's cardiologists and transplant surgeons, we collaborate with clinicians and pathologists around the country and, increasingly, with patients on endomyocardial heart biopsies used for diagnosing heart failure and for monitoring heart transplant recipients. The vast experience of the center's physicians -- Hopkins performs and reviews hundreds of heart biopsies annually -- in combination with a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis, enables us to provide accurate diagnosis and second opinions as well as sound recommendations for treatment.

Experience

The Johns Hopkins Hospital has long attracted patients from around the world because of the excellence of its clinical, diagnostic and research work in the field of heart disease. We have a world-famous center for heart transplantation. We are also one of the few centers in the country to perform endomyocardial heart biopsies, an option for diagnosing heart failure of unknown etiology or confirming a diagnosis attributable to disorders such as myocarditis, cardiomyopathy or hemochromatosis. As such, we have unparalleled experience in interpreting heart biopsies and are widely consulted on the prognostic and therapeutic implications for transplant patients and for patients with heart failure.

Expertise

Special capabilities and services
Of particular benefit to consulting physicians is the volume of heart biopsies performed as well as the integrated team approach we take to diagnosis, as pathologists and clinicians meet daily to discuss cases. Additionally, a major grant from a pharmaceutical company to study heart transplantation, awarded recently, offers exciting potential for future treatment.

Timely Results

Expect same-day review of heart biopsies. Final written reports will be faxed within three days, unless special studies such as electron microscopy or immunohistochemistry are required. In that case, reports may take several days longer.

Faculty

Charles J. Steenbergen, M.D., Ph.D.

Phone:410-502-5982
Fax:410-502-5167
E-mail:

Professional Interests
My research is on mechanisms of ischemic heart disease, and in particular, endogenous mechanisms that can be activated to protect the heart during a subsequent episode of ischemia and reperfusion. I am interested in identifying signal transduction pathways that are involved in cardioprotection, and understanding how these signaling pathways confer their protective effect. We have been interested in mechanisms of injury involving ionic dysequilibrium, and have used magnetic resonance spectroscopic techniques to monitor ion concentrations in intact hearts during ischemia and reperfusion. Since infarct size is a major determinant of clinical outcome in patients with ischemic heart disease, we hope that better understanding of these protective mechanisms will lead to the development of better therapies for patients with coronary artery disease and patients undergoing heart surgery.

Marc K. Halushka, M.D., Ph.D.

Phone:410-614-8138
Fax:410-502-5861
E-mail:

Education and Training

Professional Interests
Cardiovascular pathology and diabetic vascular disease.

Notable Accomplishments

Over 45 peer-reviewed publications on diverse topics of pathology, genomics, and cardiovascular disease.

Tests

To order, call Customer Service at 1-800-997-5475 between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.

Johns Hopkins Medical Laboratories
1620 McElderry Street
Reed Hall Room 315
Baltimore, MD 21205
 Phone 410-955-2405
Fax 410-614-7712

Special Ordering Instructions

Standard Specimen Processing

The laboratory provides expert evaluation of heart biopsies using:

Studies can be performed on tissue or on slides or blocks prepared elsewhere. Interpretations of cardiac biopsies are provided by experienced specialists.

IMPORTANT NOTE - Unstained Slides Requirement
Note that all tissue (unstained slides) must be submitted on a plus charged slide. The Immunopathology Laboratory recommends a white plus charged slide that is available from Cardinal Health. The catalogue number for the white plus slide is M6159-6, however one must specify to the vendor whether to order as one gross (pack of 144 slides), one case (10 packs per case).