An Analysis Of Bleeding Risk In Endomyocardial Biopsy - Is Oral Anticoagulant Use Safe?

Transvenous endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) is an invasive procedure which is routinely used in the diagnosis of transplant rejection in patients with orthotopic heart transplant (OHT). EMB is generally regarded as safe, but bleeding complications have been described. It is unknown whether concomitant use of oral anticoagulants (OAC) increases the risk of bleeding in patients undergoing EMB, thus current clinical practice is variable regarding periprocedural anticoagulant continuation. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively evaluate bleeding complications amongst patients undergoing EMB while taking OAC.
Source: Journal of Cardiac Failure - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: 099 Source Type: research