Endomyocardial Biopsy in Pediatric Myocarditis and Dilated Cardiomyopathy: A Tool in Search for a Role

Mara Pilati; Micol Rebonato; Roberto Formigari; Gianfranco Butera

doi:10.3390/jcdd9010024

Endomyocardial Biopsy in Pediatric Myocarditis and Dilated Cardiomyopathy: A Tool in Search for a Role

J Cardiovasc Dev Dis. 2022 Jan 12;9(1):24. doi: 10.3390/jcdd9010024.

Authors

Mara Pilati¹, Micol Rebonato¹, Roberto Formigari¹, Gianfranco Butera¹

Affiliation

¹ Medical and Surgical Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Piazza di Sant'Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy.

Abstract

Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) is a well-known diagnostic tool for the investigation and treatment of myocardial diseases and remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of myocarditis. Due to its invasiveness, with a complication rate ranging from 1 to 15%, its role in the diagnostic work-up of pediatric heart failure is not well established. The aim of this review is to define the role of EMB as diagnostic technique in the work up of children presenting with severe left ventricular dysfunction with the support of our center experience.

Keywords: endomyocardial biopsy; myocarditis; pediatric cardiomyopathy.

Publication types

Review