Myocardial biopsy

Myocardial biopsy is done through a catheter that is threaded into your heart ( cardiac catheterization ). The procedure will take place in a hospital radiology department, special procedures room, or cardiac diagnostics laboratory. To have the procedure: You may be given medicine to help you relax (sedative) before…

You will be told not to eat or drink anything for 6 to 8 hours before the test. The procedure takes place in the hospital. Most often, you will be admitted the morning of the procedure, but in some cases, you may need to be admitted the night before. A health care provider will explain the procedure and its risks. You…

You may feel some pressure at the biopsy site. You may have some discomfort due to lying still for a long period of time.

This procedure is routinely done after heart transplantation to watch for signs of rejection. Your provider may also order this procedure if you have signs of: Alcoholic cardiomyopathy Cardiac amyloidosis Cardiomyopathy Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Idiopathic cardiomyopathy Ischemic cardiomyopathy Myocarditis…

A normal result means no abnormal heart muscle tissue was discovered. However, it does not necessarily mean your heart is normal because sometimes the biopsy can miss abnormal tissue.

An abnormal result means abnormal tissue was found. This test may reveal the cause of cardiomyopathy. Abnormal tissue may be due to: Amyloidosis Myocarditis Sarcoidosis Transplant (heart) rejection

Risks are moderate and include: Blood clots Bleeding from the biopsy site Cardiac arrhythmias Infection Injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve Injury to the vein or artery Pneumothorax Rupture of the heart (very rare) Tricuspid regurgitation

Kliger CA, Sorajja P. Special techniques. In: Sorajja P, Lim MJ, Kern MJ, eds. Kern's Cardiac Catheterization Handbook . 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 9. Miller DV. Cardiovascular system. In: Goldblum JR, Lamps LW, McKenney JK, Myers JL, eds. Rosai and Ackerman's Surgical Pathology . 11th ed.…