What is a heart biopsy?
Myocardial biopsy is a diagnostic procedure in which a small piece of heart muscle tissue is removed for examination. Myocardial biopsy is performed at the same time as a cardiac catheterization or as a very similar, yet separate, procedure. When myocardial biopsy is performed, the catheter is inserted through a large vein (usually the jugular vein in the neck) and then carefully threaded into the heart. Small pieces of heart tissue are then taken via a small forceps inserted into the heart in the cardiac catheter site.
Instructions for your biopsy:
© Please notify our office before the procedure if you are allergic to anything, especially x-ray contrast dye or iodine. This is very important.
© Do not eat or drink anything after midnight (or 8 hours) prior to the procedure. Please take your morning medication with a small amount of water at your normally scheduled time, including blood pressure pill, Plavix, and aspirin.
© If you are on Coumadin, warfarin, Jantoven, diabetic medication or insulin, please notify us so that we can make adjustments in medications.
© If you are on heart transplant rejection medications, do not take these the morning of your test.
© If you take diabetic medication or insulin, please check with the office for special instructions.
© Do not take any diuretics (water pills) on the day of the procedure. If your diuretic is combined with your blood pressure medication, you will take it as usual.
© Do not wear any jewelry around your neck the day of your procedure.
© You MUST have someone to drive you home if you are given sedation.
© You are not to do any heavy lifting (over 15 pounds), no squatting or crouching for at least a week following your biopsy. Additional discharge instructions will be given to you at the time of your procedure.