Cardiac Transplant Biopsies

Abstract

The endomyocardial biopsy remains the gold standard for assessing the status of the transplanted heart. It is the most consistently reliable method for the diagnosis and grading of acute cellular and antibody-mediated rejection. Recognition of specimen artifacts and other biopsy findings such as ischemic injury, Quilty effect, infection, and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder is important for accurate biopsy interpretation and differentiation from rejection. The endomyocardial biopsy provides important diagnostic information essential for optimal management of cardiac transplant recipients.