Effectiveness and hazard of endomyocardial biopsy in dogs: comparison of two methods

Endomyocardial biopsy: a review of the literature

A review of the literature relating to endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) is presented. This is considered important at this time since EMB is being utilized with increasing frequency, particularly for the diagnosis of myocarditis. The development of the technique is briefly outlined. Emphasis is placed on the clinical application of EMB in the various primary cardiomyopathies (dilated, hypertrophic, restrictive, and obliterative), the infiltrative secondary cardiomyopathies (amyloidosis, sarcoidosis, hemochromatosis), myocarditis, as well as such conditions as adriamycin cardiotoxicity, cardiac transplant rejection, and Kawasaki disease. More controversial application of EMB in primary mitral valve prolapse (Barlow's syndrome), idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias, and the elucidation of the enigmatic finding of angina with angiographically normal coronary arteries is detailed. Experience with immunological and biochemical investigation of biopsy material, as well as with virus isolation and drug assays in the myocardium, is alluded to. Complications encountered with this procedure are also discussed, and its future role is contemplated.

Special investigations in COCM: biochemical analysis of cardiac biopsies

The introduction of the endomyocardial biopsy method has permitted unique possibilities to investigate the myocardium. Compared to several other methods described, it is superior for taking serial biopsies on one or more occasions. With already available methods, examination of heart muscle biopsies can be extended to a wide variety of biochemical analyses. The ultimate application of repeated or periodic tissue sampling is the potential of combining static and dynamic studies.