Details.
A post-heart transplantation procedure for diagnosing rejection. A biopsy instrument is inserted through a vein in the neck, or occasionally the groin, and guided under fluoroscopy into the right ventricle, where four or five tissue samples are taken for examination. Patients have blood tests on the day of the procedure. Preparation includes bringing regular daytime medications and having nothing to eat or drink from midnight before the morning procedure. Patients are monitored during and after the biopsy and can usually go home after a couple of hours. Results are provided the same week.