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Myocardial Biopsy (Cardiac biopsy)
Definition:
An invasive procedure that involves using a bioptome (a
small catheter with a grasping device on the end) to obtain a small piece
of heart muscle tissue that is sent to a laboratory for analysis.
Your doctor uses myocardial biopsy
to:
- evaluate or confirm the presence
of rejection after heart transplant
- diagnose myocarditis (inflammation
of the heart muscle)
To prepare:
- You can wear whatever you like to
the hospital. You will wear a hospital gown during the procedure.
- Leave all valuables at home.
- Your doctor or nurse will give you
specific instructions about what you can and cannot eat or drink before
the procedure.
- Ask your doctor what medications
should be taken on the day of your test.
- If you
are diabetic, ask your physician how to adjust your medications
the day of your test.
- Tell your doctor and/or nurses if
you are allergic to anything
- You will need a companion to bring
you home.
What to expect:
- You will be given a hospital gown
to wear.
- A nurse will start an intravenous
(IV) line in your arm so that medications and fluids can be administered
during the procedure.
- The room is cool and dimly lit.
You will lie on a special table. If you look above, you will see a large
camera and several TV monitors
- You will be awake and conscious
during the entire procedure.
- The doctor will use a local anesthetic
to numb the area of your neck. A plastic introducer sheath (a short,
hollow tube through which the catheter is placed) is inserted a blood
vessel. A bioptome will be inserted through the sheath and threaded
to your right ventricle. A x-ray camera may be used to position the
bioptome properly.
- The bioptome is used to obtain samples
of the heart muscle. The sample is about the size of the head (top)
of a pin.
- When the samples have been collected,
the catheter will be removed and firm pressure will be held over the
area to stop bleeding.
The procedure takes about 30 to 60
minutes.
Please ask your doctor if you have
any questions about myocardial biopsy.
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