Feasibility of using a sheathless guiding catheter for left ventricular endomyocardial biopsy performed by transradial approach.

Abstract

The role of endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) in the diagnosis and treatment of adults presenting a newly unexplained cardiomyopathy remains controversial and the clinical indication varies among different centers. Furthermore, the choice of the ventricular site for EMB is still under debate. The right ventricular EMB is commonly used due to safety features and left ventricle (LV) EMB has not yet gained acceptance because of concerns about possible complications. Of note, when LV-EMB is performed, the femoral artery is usually the access site. There is a large body of evidence supporting the safety and feasibility of transradial approach in a broad spectrum of patients and settings in the catheterization laboratory. Therefore, the aim of the present manuscript is to report the feasibility of performing a LV-EMB by the transradial approach using a sheathless guiding catheter as an ad hoc procedure.