Endomyocardial biopsy--technical aspects experience and current status. An Indian perspective

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Pathology
• Tropical Medicine

Background:

• Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) is crucial for diagnosing cardiac conditions.
• India's tropical climate presents unique cardiovascular challenges.
• Limited data exists on EMB utility in tropical regions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the utility of endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) in diagnosing diverse cardiac-muscle disorders in India.
• To assess the safety and diagnostic yield of EMB in a tropical setting.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 572 EMB procedures performed between April 1985 and December 1992.
• Inclusion of 501 patients, including 60 infants and children.
• Analysis of indications, complications, and histological findings.

Main Results:

• EMB successfully diagnosed conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy, non-specific aortoarteritis, and restrictive cardiomyopathy.
• Histological examination identified myocarditis in 15.4% of dilated cardiomyopathy cases.
• EMB aided in differentiating endomyocardial fibrosis from constrictive pericarditis and identified cardiac tumors.

Conclusions:

• Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) is a safe and effective diagnostic investigation for various cardiac disorders in India.
• EMB provides critical etiological information, guiding treatment in tropical populations.
• The procedure is valuable even without national cardiac-transplant programs.