title: A safe approach to left ventriculotomy.
abstract: Left ventriculotomy through an anatomically normal left ventricle is an increasingly frequent clinical necessity. In this regard, it is important to envision the epicardial projection of the papillary muscle in order to avoid injuring it. One should open the ventricle from the base (parallel to the left anterior descending or posterior descending coronary artery) and extend the incision apically while continuously palpating the papillary muscle.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000473:pathology; D001344:Autopsy; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000473:pathology; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010210:Papillary Muscles / Q000033:anatomy & histology