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Heart Biopsy

ElectrophysiologyAt UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, we believe parents and guardians can contribute to the success of this procedure, and we invite you to participate. Please read the following information to learn about the procedure and how you can help.

Fast Facts About Heart Biopsy

  • A heart biopsy is a type of heart catheterization that can be done as an outpatient procedure in the cardiac catheterization laboratory or “cath lab.”
  • A cardiac catheterization or “heart cath” is a minimally invasive procedure which allows the doctor to look inside the heart through just a few pokes in the skin.
  • In the biopsy, a catheter is inserted into a vein, usually in the neck or leg, and directed into the chambers of the heart using a type of x-ray called fluoroscopy.
  • A special catheter with tiny tweezers on the end is put through the catheter and tiny samples of heart tissue are taken.
  • The catheter is removed and the tissue is sent to the lab to be looked at under a microscope. The biopsy can detect abnormalities in the heart muscle tissue.
  • Your child may have general anesthesia or sedation for the heart biopsy, depending on what your child’s doctor decides. General anesthesia will make him or her sleep throughout the entire procedure; sedation will make him or her very drowsy.
  • When anesthesia or sedation is needed, there are special rules for eating and drinking that must be followed in the hours before the heart biopsy.
  • A heart biopsy can take about 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete, but recovery may take several hours.

Contact Us

To refer a patient, visit our health care professionals page or complete our online form.

Patients or families can contact the Heart Institute by email at CHPHeartReferral@chp.edu, by phone at 412-663-6091, or by completing our online form.