Peter J. Kahrilas, MD - Gastroenterology

Dr. Peter J. Kahrilas reviews medical content for Healthwise, a nonprofit organization with a mission to help people make better health decisions. Dr. Kahrilas is a specialist in esophageal disease. He is involved in research on the mechanics of swallowing, the motor activity of the upper esophagus, and the pathophysiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). He is a Professor in the Division of Gastroenterology in the Department of Medicine at Northwestern University's Medical School.

Dr. Kahrilas has served on the editorial board of the journals Gastroenterology, Gut, American Journal of Gastroenterology, and Dysphagia, and is an ad hoc reviewer for many other medical journals.

Board Certifications

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American Board of Internal Medicine—1982

American Board of Internal Medicine, Subspecialty of Gastroenterology—1987

Healthwise Knowledgebase Topics Reviewed

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Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Heartburn

Colon Polyps

Gastroenteritis

Education

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M.D.: University of Rochester School of Medicine, 1979

Residency in Internal Medicine, University Hospitals of Cleveland, 1979–1982

Fellowship in Gastroenterology, Northwestern University, Chicago, 1982–1984

Research Fellow, GI Motility, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, 1984–1986

Academic Appointments

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Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago:

• Staff Physician, 1986
• Medical Director, Gastrointestinal Diagnostic Laboratory, 1989–1999
• Chief, Division of Gastroenterology, 1999–2006

Northwestern University, Dept. of Medicine:

• Assistant Professor, 1986–1990
• Associate Professor, 1990–1992
• Associate Professor (with tenure), 1992–1995
• Professor, 1995–1999
• Chief, Division of Gastroenterology, 1999-2006
• Gilbert Marquardt Professor of Medicine, 1999–present

Northwestern University, Dept. of Communication Sciences and Disorders:

• Assistant Professor, 1988–1990
• Associate Professor, 1990–1992
• Professor, 1995–present

VA Lakeside Medical Center, Chicago:

• Staff Physician, Dept. of Medicine, 1986–1990
• Consultant Physician, 1991–2006

Professional Affiliations

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American College of Gastroenterology

American Gastroenterological Association

American Society for Clinical Investigation

Selected Publications

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1. Pouderoux P, Verdier E, Kahrilas PJ (2003). Patterns of esophogeal inhibition during swallowing, pharyngeal stimulation, and transient lower esophageal sphincter relations. American Journal of Physiology, 284(3): G242–G247.
2. Kahrilas PJ (2003). Technology review: Radiofrequency therapy of the lower esophageal sphincter for treatment of GERD. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 57(6): 723–731.
3. DiRe CA, Jones MP, Rulyak SJ, Kahrilas PJ (2003). The economics of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 1(4): 328–332.
4. Kahrilas PJ (2003). Clinical vignette: Refractory heartburn. Gastroenterology, 124(7): 1941–1945.
5. Pandolfino JE, Kahrilas PJ (2005). The second American Gastroenterological Association technical review on the clinical use of esophageal manometry. Gastroenterology, 128(1): 207–208.
6. Pandolfino JE, Schreiner MA, Lee TJ, Zhang Q, Boniquit C, Kahrilas PJ (2005). Comparison of the Bravo™ wireless and Digitrapper™ catheter pH monitoring systems for measuring esophageal acid exposure. American Journal of Gastroenterology, 100(7): 1466–1476.
7. Pandolfino JE, Zhang Q, Schreiner MA, Lee TJ, Roth MP, Kahrilas PJ (2005). Acid reflux detection using the Bravo™ wireless vs the Slimline™ catheter pH systems: Why are the numbers so different? Gut, 54(12): 1687–1692.
8. Pandolfino JE, El-Serag H, Zhang Q, Shah N, Ghosh S, Kahrilas PJ (2006). Obesity: A challenge to esophagogastric junction integrity. Gastroenterology, 130(3): 639–649.

Selected Books

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Kahrilas PJ, Howden CW (2002). Contemporary Diagnosis and Management of Dyspepsia and GERD. Newtown, PA: Handbooks in Health Care Company.

Financial Disclosure

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This reviewer reported no financial conflicts.