Preparing for a Biopsy
What to expect from a routine endomyocardial biopsy, the standard way transplant teams check for rejection.
What a Biopsy Is
An endomyocardial biopsy is the standard way transplant teams check your heart tissue for early signs of rejection. A thin catheter is guided through a vein - usually in the neck - to the heart, where a few tiny tissue samples are collected and sent to a lab. It's typically done routinely, more often in the first year after transplant and less frequently as time goes on.
Before the Procedure
Follow your center's specific instructions about eating or drinking beforehand, especially if sedation is planned.
Confirm which of your regular medications to take that morning - don't skip or hold anything without checking first.
Arrange a ride home, since sedation or the neck access site can make driving unsafe the same day.
Wear comfortable clothing that makes it easy to access your neck and the procedure area.
During and After
Most biopsies are outpatient or a short same-day procedure done with local numbing medication, sometimes with light sedation. It's common to feel pressure or a brief fluttering sensation. Afterward, you'll typically rest for observation, and the access site is checked before you're cleared to go home. Mild soreness at the site is common for a day or two.
After You're Home
Follow any activity restrictions your team gives you, often avoiding heavy lifting or strenuous activity for a day or two.
Keep the access site clean and dry per your team's instructions.
Watch for increasing pain, swelling, redness, drainage, or fever at the site, and call your team if any appear.
Ask your team when and how you'll get the results, and what number to call with questions in the meantime.
Every transplant center's exact protocol is a little different, so always follow the specific pre- and post-procedure instructions your own team gives you.
Have questions about how this applies to you? Contact your transplant team or care coordinator - they know your specific history and treatment plan.