Wiklund L, Suurküla M B, Kjellström C, Berglin E
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Sahlgrenska Hospital, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Scand J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1994;28(1):13-8. doi: 10.3109/14017439409098704.
The incidence of chordal tissue in endomyocardial biopsies from heart transplant recipients and the possibility of an association between this incidence and tricuspid regurgitation or tricuspid valvular abnormalities were prospectively investigated. The biopsies were performed to detect rejection. Postoperative echocardiography and Doppler were done according to routine schedule and always when chordal tissue was found histologically, for specific evaluation of the tricuspid valve function. Chordal tissue was detected in 24 of 1,265 bites at 206 biopsies during the study period. Echocardiographically there was no significant increase in tricuspid regurgitation and no major valvular abnormality in any patient after biopsy showing chordal tissue. The presence of chordal tissue in biopsy specimens implies that the tricuspid valve is potentially at risk in biopsy. Our results, however, also showed that occasional capture of chordal tissue by the bioptome did not necessarily result in tricuspid valve dysfunction.
