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Myocardial Biopsy
Alternate Names : Biopsy - Heart, Heart Biopsy
Pictures & Images
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Heart, Front View
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The external structures of the heart include the ventricles, atria, arteries and veins. Arteries carry blood away from the heart while veins carry blood into the heart. The vessels colored blue indicate the transport of blood with relatively low content of oxygen and high content of carbon dioxide. The vessels colored red indicate the transport of blood with relatively high content of oxygen and low content of carbon dioxide.
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Biopsy Catheter
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When a small piece of heart muscle tissue is needed for examination, a heart biopsy can be performed. A catheter is carefully threaded into an artery or vein to gain access into the heart. A bioptome (catheter with jaws in its tip) is then introduced. Once the bioptome is in place, three to five small pieces of tissue from the heart muscle are removed. The test is performed routinely after heart transplantation to detect potential rejection. It may also be performed when cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, cardiac amyloidosis, or other disorders are suspected.
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Definition Why is the Test Performed? How is the Test Performed? How to Prepare for the Test? How will the Test Feel? Normal Values What do Abnormal Results Mean? Risks
Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy Arrhythmias Blood Clots Cardiac Amyloidosis Cardiomyopathy Dilated Cardiomyopathy Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Ischemic Cardiomyopathy Myocarditis Peripartum Cardiomyopathy Primary Amyloidosis Restrictive Cardiomyopathy Transplant Rejection
Tests & Exams
Biopsy Cardiac Catheterization X-Ray
Other Topics
Adolescent Test or Procedure Preparation Bleeding Infant Test/Procedure Preparation Preschooler Test/Procedure Preparation School Age Test/Procedure Preparation Toddler Test/Procedure Preparation
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