Feasibility of Performing Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation and Endomyocardial Biopsy in the Same Setting

In patients with unexplained cardiomyopathy, electroanatomical mapping can identify abnormal tissue to target during electrophysiology-guided endomyocardial biopsy (EP-guided EMB). The objective of this study is to determine whether catheter ablation performed in the same setting as EP-guided EMB increases procedural risk. Sixty-seven patients (mean age 54.4 ± 13.8, 57% male) undergoing EP-guided EMB were included. Radiofrequency catheter ablation was performed in 17 patients (25%) for ventricular arrhythmias and in 2 (3%) for typical atrial flutter. Femoral arterial access was obtained in 90% ablation patients and 40% biopsy-only patients; vascular access complications were more common in the ablation group than in the EMB-only group (p = 0.02). There were no significant differences in rate of tricuspid regurgitation, thromboembolism, or pericardial effusion, whether procedural anticoagulation was used. In conclusion, catheter ablation and procedural anticoagulation can be combined with EP-guided EMB with an increased risk of vascular access complications, but no significant increase in intracardiac complications.