Novel long-neck sheath for endomyocardial biopsy

Abstract

We studied a novel‐shaped long‐neck sheath for endomyocardial biopsy through the internal jugular approach. The sheath is designed to provide a stable platform that facilitates direct atraumatic passage of the biopsy forceps in close proximity to and oriented toward the target septal site, which avoids undesirable repetitive recrossing of the right heart structures, thereby minimizing risk of cardiac trauma. This endomyocardial biopsy sheath was easy to advance and position in the heart and consistently provided a stable platform to deliver efficiently and safely the bioptome to the optimal target septal site. The use of this sheath has potential to reduce trauma to the patient, limit radiation exposure, and minimize procedure time. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 43:352–356, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.