Myocardial Biopsy
Alternate Names : Biopsy - Heart, Heart Biopsy
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How is the Test Performed?
Myocardial biopsy is performed similarly to (or as part of) cardiac catheterization. The skin is scrubbed and a local anesthetic is injected into the skin. A catheter (thin tube) is inserted through a vein or artery, depending on whether cardiac tissue is needed from the right or left ventricle, respectively.
When myocardial biopsy is performed by itself, the jugular vein in the neck is most commonly used. The catheter is then carefully threaded into the heart, using a type of X-ray images called fluoroscopy to guide the insertion. A catheter with jaws in its tip, called a bioptome, is then introduced. Once the bioptome is in place, three to five small pieces of tissue are removed from the heart muscle.
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