Standard Operation Procedure of Percutaneous Endomyocardial Biopsy in Peking Union Medical College Hospital

Abstract

Percutaneous endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) is a technique that biopsy samples are obtained using bioptome through peripheral blood vessel. This technique has been used and refined more than 50 years in clinical application. Now EMB has become an important diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of myocarditis and cardiomyopathy. Department of cardiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) has performed more than 500 cases of EMB and accumulated abundant practical experience. The clinical practice guideline of percutaneous EMB in PUMCH was also established, including indications, contradictions, operation key points, sample handling and processing, post-procedure monitoring, and treatment strategy for potential complications, etc. Due to the limitation of EMB, cardiologists should collaborate with experts in echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance and cardiac pathology to avoid missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis. Cardiologists should pay more attention to the value of EMB and actively perform EMB to improve the diagnosis level for myocarditis and cardiomyopathy in China.