A MR conditional bioptome for MR guided myocardial biopsy: initial Experiences

Background Endomyocardial biopsy specimens can be critical to the diagnosis and treatment of various cardiomyopathic disorders. Since endomyocardial biopsy is normally guided by fluoroscopy, it depends on chance whether or not the biopsied specimens are obtained from abnormal areas and/or exhibit histological changes. Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) Imaging has the advantage of being able to visualize lesions by performing T2 weighted imaging and delayed enhancement imaging. Moreover, the feasibility of MR guided cardiac interventions has been demonstrated. However, there are still only limited MR conditional devices to realize MR guided myocardial biopsy in humans. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate a MR conditional myocardial bioptome for MR guided myocardial biopsy.