Endomyocardial biopsy - jugular/subclavian vein approach

Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) is a diagnostic procedure mainly to survey the sufficiency of immunosuppressive therapy after cardiac transplantation. Other indications for EMB remain controversial. After insertion of an introducer sheet in Seldinger's technique, four to six biopsies are taken from the right ventricle by fluoroscopic guidance. EMB is a very safe operation with a low complication rate which can be rapidly performed with little inconvenience for the patient if performed by a skilled surgeon.