Test ID 5362 Endomyocardial Biopsy
Useful For
Evaluation of:
-Cardiac allograft rejection
-Cardiomyopathies
-Myocarditis
-Idiopathic arrhythmias
-Idiopathic chest pain
-Anthracycline cardiotoxicity
-Secondary heart disease (amyloidosis, sarcoidosis, hemochromatosis, storage diseases, and neoplastic diseases)
Method Name
Light Microscopy
Includes hematoxylin-and-eosin, Gomori's iron, and sulfated alcian blue stains.
Electron microscopy, immunoperoxidase, and immunofluorescence are available upon special request. For special studies, call BEFORE the biopsy is performed.
Reporting Name
Endomyocardial BxSpecimen Type
TissueContainer/Tube: Sterile container with 10% neutral buffered formalin, Trump's solution, or tissue embedded in paraffin
Specimen Volume: Entire specimen
Collection Instructions: For the evaluation of adriamycin cardiotoxicity, specimens should be fixed in glutaraldehyde or Trump's solution. These specimens will be evaluated by transmission electron microscopy at an additional charge.
Additional Information: The clinical differential diagnoses and the name and phone number of the pathologist or cardiologist involved with the case are required.
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
---|---|---|
Tissue | Ambient (preferred) | |
Refrigerated |
Clinical Information
Endomyocardial biopsies may be indicated to evaluate a variety of cardiac disorders. The procedure is performed using a device inserted through the jugular, subclavian, or femoral vein.
Reference Values
Abnormalities will be compared to reported reference values.
Cautions
Either wet tissue fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin or Trump's solution or slides and paraffin blocks may be submitted.
Electron microscopy is generally only performed for the evaluation of adriamycin cardiotoxicity and storage diseases. For the evaluation of adriamycin cardiotoxicity, specimens should be fixed in glutaraldehyde or Trump's solution.
Clinical diagnosis must be submitted with the specimen.
Not useful for distinguishing between alcoholic cardiomyopathy and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Report Available
2 daysPerforming Laboratory

CPT Code Information
88325