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Biopsy, heart

(Science: investigation, procedure, surgery) a procedure which involves the removal of a small specimen of cardiac muscle tissue for microscopic analysis.

this is generally performed at the same time as a cardiac catheterisation or as a very similar, yet separate, procedure. A small piece of heart tissue is taken via a small forceps inserted into the cardiac catheter site (usually threaded through a vein in the neck).

this test may reveal the cause of a cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, amyloidosis or a heart transplant rejection.