Efficacy and Safety of Echocardiographic Guidance for Post-Transplant Endomyocardial Biopsy Sampling

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Abstract

Background: Endomyocardial biopsy is a very useful procedure to assess acute rejection in transplant patients, but it can cause several complications.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of echocardiography as a guide for endomyocardial biopsy sampling.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of transplant patients undergoing endomyocardial biopsies was carried out between November 2004 and November 2016. Demographic data and complications were analyzed with descriptive statistics.

Results: A total of 200 patients underwent 2,665 endomyocardial biopsies, with an average of 13 procedures per patient. Complications occurred in 5 patients: 2 pneumothorax (0.1%) and 3 transient alterations in the electrocardiogram (0.1%), and vascular access could not be achieved in 25 patients (0.9%). No patient died during the procedure or required emergency surgery to treat the complications.

Conclusion: Endomyocardial biopsy guided by echocardiography is a safe procedure with a low rate of complications.