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Dr. Cara Ruth Kistler, MD

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Specializes in: Adult Pulmonology and Adult Critical Care

University of Toledo College of Medicine

Professional interests include: chronic bronchitis, occupational health issues, bronchoscopy, and more.

10650 Park Road Medical Plaza I Suite 300
Charlotte, NC 28210

(704) 667-3925

Dr. Cara Ruth Kistler, MD is a pulmonologist in Charlotte, NC specializing in adult pulmonology and adult critical care. She graduated from University of Toledo College of Medicine. Dr. Cara Ruth Kistler, MD is affiliated with Carolinas Medical Center (CMC), Atrium Health and CAROLINAS PHYSICIANS NETWORK INC.

Office Locations

Address:

10650 Park Road Medical Plaza I Suite 300
Charlotte, NC 28210

Some issues Dr. Cara Ruth Kistler, MD can help you with:

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic lung disease where the tissue and airways of the lungs become extremely sensitive to certain substances. When these substances are breathed in, the lungs become inflamed. The muscles around the airways tighten and squeeze the lungs, and passages within the lungs swell and tighten. The airways themselves produce mucus, which further clogs the tightened, swollen airways. A person having an asthma attack finds it very difficult to breathe, and a severe attack can even be fatal.

Asthma affects people of all ages, but people with asthma are most often diagnosed as children. Symptoms can include wheezing, a tight feeling in the chest, shortness of breath, and coughing. Some people have mild symptoms all the time, and some people have no symptoms at all, but everyone with asthma is susceptible to occasional severe attacks or flare-ups of symptoms when they are exposed to triggers. Triggers vary widely but can include:

Allergens (dust mites, pet fur, mold, pollen, grass)
Irritants (smoke, pollution, dust, chemicals)
Viral infections
Physical activity, especially outdoors
Certain medications or chemicals in foods (aspirin, sulfites)

Treatment for most asthma patients involves three steps. Patients learn what their asthma triggers are and avoid them. They take a daily control medication, usually an inhaled corticosteroid, to reduce inflammation in the lungs. Also, they have rescue medication with them at all times to take in case of a severe attack. These quick-acting inhaled medications relax the muscles around the airways and allow the lungs to open up for air.

There is no cure for asthma, but with treatment it should not interfere with daily life and activities.

Bronchoscopy

Bronchoscopy is a procedure in which a thin tube with a camera, called a bronchoscope, is inserted in the mouth or nose and slowly advanced to the lungs. This allows doctors to see the respiratory tract, which includes the throat, larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), bronchi (airways), and lungs. Doctors may recommend those who have or show signs of lung problems - for example, lung cancer or difficulty breathing - to undergo a bronchoscopy.

In performing a diagnostic bronchoscopy, doctors may only wish to visualize the respiratory tract, or doctors may also collect samples of tissue or fluid. The samples can help diagnose patients' conditions or, if patients have cancer, they can be used for staging purposes. One method for sample collection is bronchoalveolar lavage. In a bronchoalveolar lavage, doctors inject saline (salt water) through the bronchoscope and then suction it out of the airways. The washout collected is tested for lung disorders. Doctors can also insert a biopsy tool to collect tissue or mucus samples. The following are biopsies that can be performed by bronchoscopy:

Brush biopsy, which uses a brush to collect samples.
Endobronchial biopsy, which uses the bronchoscope to guide forceps to sample lung tissue.
Transbronchial biopsy, which uses forceps and image guidance - such as X-rays, CT scans, or fluoroscopy - to sample lung tissue.
Transbronchial fine needle aspiration (TBNA), which uses a small needle to take samples of the lymph nodes or lungs.

For visualization, bronchoscopy can be done alone, or it can be combined with ultrasound. Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) allows real-time imaging of the airway and is used for diagnosing and staging lung cancer, as well as for determining where the cancer has spread. EBUS can be performed with TBNA, a procedure known as endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA).

Doctors can also use bronchoscopy as a treatment for lung problems. For example, if a foreign body is trapped in the airway, doctors can insert forceps through the bronchoscope to remove it. If the airway has become narrowed - which may occur if patients have an infection, cancer, or some other inflammatory issue - bronchoscopy can be used to place a device called a stent in the area of constriction. The stent will keep the airway open, allowing the patient to breathe properly.

During a bronchoscopy, patients will be given medication (sedative) to help them relax. If it is only a diagnostic bronchoscopy, patients will be kept awake, but if the bronchoscopy is for therapeutic purposes, patients will be put to sleep by general anesthesia. After the procedure, patients will need to stay in the hospital for a few hours. They will not be able to eat or drink for about 2 hours. Some patients may experience discomfort, such as a sore throat or pain while swallowing. Throat lozenges and gargling may help alleviate these symptoms, which should go away after a few days. Patients will need to have someone drive them home once their doctor determines that they are ready.

Lung Issues

Every cell in the body requires oxygen to function and produces carbon dioxide as a waste product. In order to keep the body's tissues constantly supplied with fresh oxygen and to keep waste from building up, the lungs pump air in and out, even while sleeping or unaware. Unfortunately, diseases and disorders affecting the lungs are some of the most common medical problems afflicting people around the world. Some of the most common lung problems include asthma, COPD, pneumonia, and lung cancer.

Asthma is a chronic disease where swollen, inflamed airways make it hard to breathe. It is often brought on by specific triggers. While asthma is a common condition, affecting millions of people, it can also be serious and even fatal in severe cases. Treatment involves avoiding triggers and using inhaled corticosteroid medications.

COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, is the name given to two illnesses that both cause difficulty breathing: emphysema and chronic bronchitis. In emphysema, the air sacs of the lungs become damaged, while with bronchitis they become clogged with mucus. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. It is almost always caused by breathing irritants into the lungs, such as smoking or heavy pollution.

Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by bacteria, a virus, or fungi. Most healthy people recover from pneumonia in a week or two, but for some people pneumonia can be fatal. There are treatments available for pneumonia, but the best treatment is to prevent getting sick in the first place. People who are at risk should make sure they get a flu shot every year. There is also a vaccine available for the type of bacteria that causes pneumonia.

Lung cancer occurs when abnormal cells inside the lung grow into a tumor, destroying healthy tissue. Because it is so difficult to detect lung cancer in early stages when it has few symptoms, it is the deadliest form of cancer, responsible for the most cancer deaths both in the U.S. and worldwide. Most lung cancer is caused by exposure to tobacco smoke, but between 10-15% of cases are not linked to smoking.

Some problems with the lungs are minor and are not cause for concern. However if symptoms have lasted for a month or more, even if they are minor, it is worth checking with a healthcare professional. A cough, shortness of breath, or excess mucus production that lingers for weeks are all worth getting looked at.

catheterization	19
doctor visit	269
hospital care	301
inpatient care	301
pulmonary testing	151

**Gender**
Male	194
Female	162

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	295
Black	43
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	159
From 75 to 84	104
85 and over	47
Less than 65	46

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	65
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	57
Depression	23
Chronic Kidney Disease	53
Asthma	20
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	29
Heart Failure	44
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	47
Diabetes	41
Dementia	12
Cancer	17

catheterization	16
doctor visit	258
hospital care	215
inpatient care	215
pulmonary testing	131
thoracic (chest) imaging	26
X-rays	26

**Gender**
Male	175
Female	186

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	304
Black	40
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	144
From 75 to 84	107
85 and over	50
Less than 65	60

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	69
Stroke	11
Ischemic Heart Disease	53
Depression	28
Chronic Kidney Disease	46
Asthma	16
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	24
Heart Failure	45
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	44
Diabetes	39
Dementia	13
Cancer	18

catheterization	21
doctor visit	314
hospital care	293
inpatient care	293
pulmonary testing	171
thoracic (chest) imaging	29
X-rays	29

**Gender**
Male	392
Female	416

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	684
Black	82
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	360
From 75 to 84	242
85 and over	102
Less than 65	104

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	69
Stroke	9
Ischemic Heart Disease	53
Depression	30
Chronic Kidney Disease	51
Asthma	32
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	27
Heart Failure	44
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	47
Diabetes	42
Dementia	11
Cancer	15

**Gender**
Male	209
Female	205

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	354
Black	43
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	177
From 75 to 84	123
85 and over	53
Less than 65	61

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	69
Stroke	9
Ischemic Heart Disease	56
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	57
Asthma	53
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	24
Heart Failure	43
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	51
Diabetes	39
Dementia	18
Cancer	16

doctor visit	414
hospital care	318
inpatient care	318
preventive care	8
pulmonary testing	221
thoracic (chest) imaging	27
vaccines	8
X-rays	27

**Gender**
Male	187
Female	225

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	348
Black	41
Hispanic	11
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	185
From 75 to 84	136
85 and over	52
Less than 65	39

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	62
Stroke	6
Ischemic Heart Disease	57
Depression	33
Chronic Kidney Disease	49
Asthma	17
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	26
Heart Failure	39
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	46
Diabetes	34
Dementia	19
Cancer	17

doctor visit	310
hospital care	152
inpatient care	152
pulmonary testing	220

**Gender**
Male	147
Female	152

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	255
Black	30
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	134
From 75 to 84	101
85 and over	36
Less than 65	28

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	63
Stroke	6
Ischemic Heart Disease	52
Depression	26
Chronic Kidney Disease	43
Asthma	15
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	27
Heart Failure	36
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	51
Diabetes	37
Dementia	14
Cancer	16

doctor visit	440
hospital care	316
inpatient care	316
preventive care	24
pulmonary testing	320
vaccines	24

**Gender**
Male	192
Female	204

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	334
Black	45
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	168
From 75 to 84	135
85 and over	47
Less than 65	46

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	61
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	49
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	46
Asthma	14
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	39
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	53
Diabetes	37
Dementia	15
Cancer	15

doctor visit	282
hospital care	206
inpatient care	206
pulmonary testing	220

**Gender**
Male	149
Female	185

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	278
Black	44
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	138
From 75 to 84	137
85 and over	31
Less than 65	28

Hypertension	74
High Cholesterol	63
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	53
Depression	28
Chronic Kidney Disease	47
Asthma	17
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	24
Heart Failure	43
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	51
Diabetes	37
Dementia	17
Cancer	18

doctor visit	738
hospital care	299
inpatient care	299
preventive care	29
pulmonary testing	527
vaccines	29

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Cara Ruth Kistler, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Cara Ruth Kistler, MD treated as a pulmonologist in Charlotte, NC were hospital care, inpatient care, pulmonary testing and X-rays.

blood draw	16
catheterization	19
doctor visit	370
hospital care	272
inpatient care	272
preventive care	19
pulmonary testing	236
thoracic (chest) imaging	26
vaccines	19
X-rays	26

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Cara Ruth Kistler, MD.

**Gender**
Male	164
Female	173

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	36
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	285
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	1
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	108
85 and over	41
Less than 65	41
65 to 74	146

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Cara Ruth Kistler, MD From 2013 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Cara Ruth Kistler, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, ischemic heart disease and chronic kidney disease.

Hypertension	59
High Cholesterol	52
Stroke	6
Ischemic Heart Disease	43
Depression	22
Chronic Kidney Disease	39
Asthma	18
Osteoporosis	8
Heart Failure	33
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	39
Diabetes	30
Atrial Fibrillation	18
Cancer	13
Dementia	11

Education & Training

Dr. Cara Ruth Kistler, MD graduated from University of Toledo College of Medicine. She completed residency at George Washington University Medical Center. She is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine American Board of Internal Medicine, Critical Care Medicine American Board of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease and has a state license in North Carolina.

Medical School: University of Toledo College of Medicine

Residency: George Washington University Medical Center

Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine American Board of Internal Medicine, Critical Care Medicine American Board of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease

Licensed In: North Carolina

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Cara Ruth Kistler, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Carolinas Medical Center (CMC)

Atrium Health

CAROLINAS PHYSICIANS NETWORK INC

Ratings & Reviews

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Cara Ruth Kistler, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Pulmonx Corporation	$17 PULMONX CHARTIS TABLET CONSOLE $17
SANOFI PASTEUR INC.	$12 FLUZONE HIGH-DOSE $12
Gilead Sciences, Inc.	$12 Veklury $12

**Types of Payments**
Education	$24
Food and Beverage	$17

Biography

Dr. Cara Kistler is a specialist in adult critical care and adult pulmonology in Charlotte, NC. She is affiliated with Carolinas Medical Center (CMC). She studied medicine at the University of Toledo College of Medicine.

Select Year:

Dr. Cara Ruth Kistler, MD

Office Locations

Some issues Dr. Cara Ruth Kistler, MD can help you with:

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Cara Ruth Kistler, MD in 2013

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Cara Ruth Kistler, MD in 2014

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Cara Ruth Kistler, MD in 2015

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Cara Ruth Kistler, MD in 2016

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Cara Ruth Kistler, MD in 2017

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Cara Ruth Kistler, MD in 2018

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Cara Ruth Kistler, MD in 2019

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Cara Ruth Kistler, MD in 2020

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Cara Ruth Kistler, MD From 2013 - 2021

Education & Training

Affiliations & Hospitals

Ratings & Reviews

General Payments

Biography

Other Providers in Charlotte, NC