Key result
TTE successfully guides RV mass biopsy without fluoroscopy.
Why the study?
Until now, only a transesophageal approach has been used for guiding biopsy of intracardiac masses, and transthoracic echocardiography guidance for biopsy without fluoroscopy had not been reported.
Case Report (n=1)
Transthoracic echocardiography using second harmonics can provide sufficient resolution to guide right ventricular mass biopsy without the need for fluoroscopy.
May offer radiation-free TTE-guided biopsy for select RV masses; leaves open generalizability and safety in prospective series.
Biopsy of the heart has become a widely applied technique in circumstances such as detection of a transplant reject or histological diagnosis of masses. Biopsy is usually performed in the catheter laboratory (cath-lab) under fluoroscopic guidance. Echocardiography guidance is employed but as 'ancillary' comforting support to the cath-lab operator and for the early detection of complications. Until now, only a transesophageal approach has been used for guiding biopsy of intracardiac masses. Today, thanks to the current echocardiographic technology employing second harmonics, the definition of cardiac structures has consistently improved in the transthoracic approach, possibly allowing the full transthoracic procedure to be performed. We describe the biopsy of a large mass in the right ventricle, completely conducted without the help of fluoroscopy, and completed only under the help and guidance of transthoracic echocardiography.
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Auriti et al. (2007) conducted a case report in Right ventricular mass (n=1). Transthoracic echocardiography-guided biopsy was evaluated. Biopsy of a large right ventricular mass was successfully conducted completely under the guidance of transthoracic echocardiography without the help of fluoroscopy.
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