Left ventricular endomyocardial biopsy guided by intracardiac
echocardiography via a trans-septal approach
Abstract
We describe our use of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) to guide
endomyocardial biopsy of the left ventricle in a patient with chronic
heart failure secondary to endocardial fibroelastosis. Under ICE
guidance, we advanced the bioptome through the middle of the mitral
annulus, within a trans-septal sheath, and guided the bioptome to the
correct location on the mid-posterior wall of the left ventricle. This
was performed without adverse events, such as injury to the chordae
tendineae or mitral valve regurgitation. Therefore, ICE-guidance is
possible for left-sided heart procedures and could lower the risk of
complications and improve the biopsy rate for diagnosis.