1. < Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)

Heart Biopsy Experience?

Posted by joycehocm @joycehocm, Nov 22 9:26am

Hi all - I am scheduled for a heart biopsy to be sure that I don't have protein depositis in my heart that need to be treated before any HOCM treatment. The deposits are unlikely but possible given an IGg marker that I have had in my blood for years. Has anyone here had a heart biopsy and can you describe what it was like for you?

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Mentor
Debra, Volunteer Mentor | @karukgirl | Nov 22 11:48am

https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/heart-biopsy/
You may find this informative @joycehocm...several members have had biopsies of their hearts and shared their experiences here on Connect.

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Mentor
Dana, Volunteer Mentor | @danab | Nov 23 9:11am

Hi, Yes I've had about a dozen or so. I'm a heart transplant recipient and to insure at the beginning that your not rejecting you have a lot of them.
The process is done under local Anastesia and usually in the neck area to access an artery. But also the groin area and arm are options. It's not very long procedures usually about 15 minutes and typically can leave after the procedure is completed. And a short recovery period to make sure the incision is closed. If you have it by the groin it's a longer recovery of about 3-5 hours to make sure that the artery is closed and you have to lay flat for a period of time. So for length of time at the hospital the neck is the best method
Please ask any questions you like. I can explain further

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1 reply
joycehocm | @joycehocm | Nov 23 10:34am
In reply to @danab "Hi, Yes I've had about a dozen or so. I'm a heart transplant recipient and to..." + (show)
@danab

Hi, Yes I've had about a dozen or so. I'm a heart transplant recipient and to insure at the beginning that your not rejecting you have a lot of them.
The process is done under local Anastesia and usually in the neck area to access an artery. But also the groin area and arm are options. It's not very long procedures usually about 15 minutes and typically can leave after the procedure is completed. And a short recovery period to make sure the incision is closed. If you have it by the groin it's a longer recovery of about 3-5 hours to make sure that the artery is closed and you have to lay flat for a period of time. So for length of time at the hospital the neck is the best method
Please ask any questions you like. I can explain further

Jump to this post

hank you for your reply -- very helpful. I know that they are going to go through my neck. Procedure is in the afternoon and home is 2.5 hours away - over the Chesapeake Bay bridge which can sometimes be really slow - should we stay in a hotel that night?

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2 replies
Mentor
Dana, Volunteer Mentor | @danab | Nov 23 11:53am
In reply to @joycehocm "hank you for your reply -- very helpful. I know that they are going to go..." + (show)
@joycehocm

hank you for your reply -- very helpful. I know that they are going to go through my neck. Procedure is in the afternoon and home is 2.5 hours away - over the Chesapeake Bay bridge which can sometimes be really slow - should we stay in a hotel that night?

Jump to this post

I probably would, I myself live 1.5 hours from my Mayo linic in Phoenix and about 3 PM the traffic becomes stop and Go so a Hotel is a nice mini vacation. I usually grab some food to go from the Cafeteria so I dont have to find a restaurant during that time. We have a few nice hotels about 2.5 miles from the Hosp.

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joycehocm | @joycehocm | Nov 23 12:46pm

Thank you - that is hugelyy helpful.

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Mentor
Dana, Volunteer Mentor | @danab | Nov 23 2:43pm
In reply to @joycehocm "hank you for your reply -- very helpful. I know that they are going to go..." + (show)
@joycehocm

hank you for your reply -- very helpful. I know that they are going to go through my neck. Procedure is in the afternoon and home is 2.5 hours away - over the Chesapeake Bay bridge which can sometimes be really slow - should we stay in a hotel that night?

Jump to this post

one more thing I might mention is some Insurance plans have an allowance for hotels and travel like for gas if its over 50 miles from your home. I know when I had BlueCross BlueShield they had that benefit and I used it a lot during my first few years after transplant. I'm on Medicare now and Tricare for life so I don't have it anymore but something to check out. Either way its also tax deducible.

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