Endomyocardial biopsy guided by intracardiac echocardiography as a key step in intracardiac mass diagnosis

• Main Authors: Marco Zanobini, Antonio Dello Russo, Matteo Saccocci, Sergio Conti, Elisa De Camilli, Giulia Vettor, Valentina Catto, Maurizio Roberto, Cesare Fiorentini, Giuseppe Viale, Claudio Tondo, Michela Casella
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2018-01-01
• Series: BMC Cardiovascular Disorders
• Subjects: Intracardiac echocardiography; Endomyocardial biopsy; Right ventricle; Intracardiac mass
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12872-018-0749-9

Abstract Background Based on a plenty of different applications, intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) is now a well-established technology in complex electrophysiological procedures. Recently, ICE has become the most widely used ultrasound-based imaging tool to guide diagnostic endomyocardial biopsy (EMB). EMB of cardiac mass guided by ICE is an interesting application of ICE. Allowing a correct positioning of the bioptome, ICE reduce the procedure-related risks and the need of a diagnostic open-chest procedure reserving the more invasive approach to selected cases. Case presentation Hereby we report a case series of right ventricular masses in which the EMB was safely and effectively performed under ICE guidance giving essential information for planning the therapeutic strategy. Conclusions The diagnosis of both metastatic and primary cardiac tumors relies on the histopathological analyses. The endomyocardial biopsy is a valuable tool for preoperative diagnosis and surgical planning of intracardiac masses suspected for tumors. In our experience, the use of ICE for right ventricle EMB of an intracardiac mass is an attractive modality thanks to the precise localization of the cardiac structures and the ability to guide bioptic withdrawal in the target area.