Christopher F. Barnett. MD, MPH

Expert Publications

• Traumatic laceration of the posterior left ventricle diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography.
• Can pulmonary arterial hypertension be diagnosed by an elevated pulmonary capillary wedge pressure outside of the guideline criteria?
• A chocolate a day keeps the doctor away?
• Pulmonary hypertension associated with left-sided heart disease.
• Critical reappraisal of pulmonary artery catheterization and invasive hemodynamic assessment in acute heart failure.
• Acute paraplegia during weightlifting: an unusual vascular catastrophe.
• The Genesis, Maturation, and Future of Critical Care Cardiology.
• Treatment of advanced group 2 PH.

Media Releases

Get to know Cardiologist Dr. Christopher F. Barnett, who serves patients in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Barnett, an accomplished cardiologist, is the Director of the Pulmonary Hypertension Program and Director of the Medical Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. He specializes in the care of patients with pulmonary hypertension, as well as patients who are critically ill with cardiovascular disease. 

In his pulmonary hypertension practice, he manages patients with advanced therapies including parenteral treatments. In the cardiac intensive care unit, he leads a multidisciplinary team that provides optimal, collaborative care to patients with severe cardiovascular disease as well as to patients before and after advanced, special cardiovascular procedures. He works closely and collaboratively with referring providers and other specialist physicians, including transplant cardiologists and the palliative care team at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

“I work hard to make sure my patients have as much information as possible about their diagnosis. I take the time to listen so that I may understand the goals each individual has for their treatment. I communicate clearly to my patients the severity of their condition in order to empower them to take control of their care. It is equally as important to communicate with all of the patient’s physicians, especially referring doctors. Collaborative care extends beyond the immediate environment of care.” as stated by the doctor.

Passionate about growing and evolving the already outstanding pulmonary hypertension program at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Dr. Barnett hopes to give patients advanced, exceptional pulmonary hypertension care as well as access to clinical trials and a chance to participate in groundbreaking research. 

In regards to his educational background, he received his medical degree and his Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from Northwestern University. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. He then completed a clinical and research fellowship in critical care medicine at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), followed by a fellowship in cardiovascular disease at the University of California, San Diego. 

Thereafter, Dr. Barnett joined the faculty at the University of California, San Francisco, where he became Associate Professor of Medicine, prior to joining MedStar. As a cardiologist with a unique skill set, it is his specialized training that contributes to MedStar’s mission of providing forward-thinking, cutting-edge care for patients in the D.C. Metropolitan area. 

The doctor is board-certified in cardiovascular disease, critical care medicine, as well as advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology by the American Board of Internal Medicine, which is a physician-led, non-profit, independent evaluation organization driven by doctors who excel and strive to achieve higher standards for better care in a rapidly changing world. He is also a member of the International Society for Heart & Lung Transplantation, the American College of Cardiology, and the Pulmonary Hypertension Association.

An advocate for physician and patient education of pulmonary hypertension, Dr. Barnett is actively involved with the Pulmonary Hypertension Association and has co-chaired multiple events for patients and providers such as “PHA on the Road,” a day-long event dedicated to the education and support for patients diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension and their families.

In addition, he is a volunteer for Special Love for Children With Cancer, a non-profit organization committed to providing rich experiences for children with cancer and their families. He first volunteered during his fellowship training with the NIH, and since then, has continued to dedicate time to this organization every year.

Cardiology is a branch of medicine that deals with the disorders of the heart, as well as the circulatory system. The field includes medical diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease, and electrophysiology. Cardiologists are doctors who diagnose, assess, and treat patients with diseases and defects of the heart and blood vessels (the cardiovascular system).

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