[Endomyocardial biopsy by venous route. Our initial results].

The authors report their experience of right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy by the technic of Caves and Schulz. The instrument which consists of a spiral metallic catheter covered with synthetic material, includes at one end a hand lever and at the other end a biopsy forceps 3 mm in diameter. It is introduced through the skin into the right internal jugular vein then pushed under direct vision with an image intensifier upto the tip of the right ventricle. The angle of the distal part of the bioptome may be freely modified before use. Passage across the tricuspid orifice from the right atrium is usually easy. 30 good quality samples were thus taken from 10 patients with various forms of heart disease. There were no complications. The simplicity, rapidity and benign nature of this technic are emphasised together with its use in the diagnosis of myocardiopathies.