Diagnostic use of the endomyocardial biopsy: a consensus statement
Gaetano Thiene1, Patrick Bruneval, John Veinot
1Department of Cardiological, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padua, Via A. Gabelli, 61, 35121 Padua, Italy. gaetano.thiene@unipd.it
Insights
Endomyocardial biopsy is crucial for diagnosing heart conditions like myocarditis and rejection. Molecular techniques and expert collaboration enhance diagnostic accuracy for better patient treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Pathology
- Clinical Cardiology
- Diagnostic Pathology
Background:
- Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) is essential for diagnosing specific cardiac conditions.
- A consensus document was developed to guide the use of EMB in clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define the role of EMB in diagnosing and treating heart failure, arrhythmias, and cardiac masses.
- To provide guidance on the optimal application of EMB in clinical settings.
Main Methods:
- A task force from the Association for European Cardiovascular Pathology and the Society for Cardiovascular Pathology convened.
- A consensus document was drafted outlining indications and methodologies for EMB.
Main Results:
- EMB is the gold standard for diagnosing myocarditis, cardiac allograft rejection, and infiltrative/storage myocardial disorders.
- Molecular techniques are mandatory for etiological and pathogenetic insights, complementing histology and immunohistochemistry.
- EMB should be performed in specialized cardiac pathology referral centers.
Conclusions:
- Optimal utilization of EMB necessitates clinicopathologic correlation.
- Collaboration with referral centers ensures access to comprehensive pathological investigations, including molecular techniques.
Abstract:
The Association for European Cardiovascular Pathology and the Society for Cardiovascular Pathology created a task force to write a consensus document on when and how endomyocardial biopsy is of help for clinicians in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with heart failure, arrhythmias, and cardiac masses. Endomyocardial biopsy is the gold standard for a definitive diagnosis in disease entities like myocarditis, cardiac allograft rejection, and infiltration/storage myocardial disorders. Use of molecular biology techniques is mandatory to obtain specific information on etiology and pathogenesis and should be carried out as an investigation complementary to histology and immunohistochemistry. Given the complexity of these investigations, endomyocardial biopsy should be performed in or in collaboration with cardiac pathology referral centers, where the whole armamentarium of pathological investigation is available, including molecular techniques. Optimal use of the endomyocardial biopsy requires clinicopathologic correlations.
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