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Interpretive Handbook

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Test 5362:
Endomyocardial Biopsy

Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test

Endomyocardial biopsies may be indicated to evaluate a variety of cardiac disorders. The procedure is performed using a device inserted through the jugular, subclavian, or femoral vein.

Useful For Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Evaluation of:

-Cardiac allograft rejection

-Cardiomyopathies

-Myocarditis

-Idiopathic arrhythmias

-Idiopathic chest pain

-Anthracycline cardiotoxicity

-Secondary heart disease (amyloidosis, sarcoidosis, hemochromatosis, storage diseases, and neoplastic diseases)

Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results

This request will be processed as a consultation. Appropriate stain(s) will be performed and a diagnostic interpretation provided.

Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances

Either wet tissue fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin or Trump's solution or slides and paraffin blocks may be submitted.

 

Electron microscopy is generally only performed for the evaluation of adriamycin cardiotoxicity and storage diseases. For the evaluation of adriamycin cardiotoxicity, specimens should be fixed in glutaraldehyde or Trump's solution.

 

Clinical diagnosis must be submitted with the specimen.

 

Not useful for distinguishing between alcoholic cardiomyopathy and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Reference Values Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.

Abnormalities will be compared to reported reference values.

Clinical References Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature

Edwards WD, Holmes DR Jr: Transvenous endomyocardial biopsy. In Mayo Clinic Practice of Cardiology: Fundamentals and Practice. 3rd edition. Edited by ER Giuliani, BJ Gersh, MD McGooh, et al. St. Louis, MO, Mosby-Yearbook, 1996, pp 672-688