[Complications of endomyocardial biopsy after heart transplantation: a lesser evil].
Endomyocardial biopsy is still the principal method for diagnosing cardiac allograft rejection. However, this procedure can be associated, albeit rarely, with potentially serious complications. We describe the case of a patient with extensive anterior myocardial infarction without revascularization, who developed cardiogenic shock and required heart transplantation. Post-transplantation, a coronary artery fistula to the right ventricle associated with an aneurysm and two restrictive ventricular septal defects were detected.
Serviços de Cardiologia e de Cirurgia Cardiotorácica, Hospital de Santa Cruz - Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Ocidental, Carnaxide, Portugal. ritacale@hotmail.com
Rita
R
Calé
Manuel
M
Almeida
Pedro
P
Gonçalves
Maria José
MJ
Rebocho
Luís
L
Raposo
Rui
R
Teles
Miguel
M
Mendes
D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000209:etiology*; D006322:Heart Aneurysm / Q000209:etiology*; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D016157:Vascular Fistula / Q000209:etiology*