title: Experimental videothoracoscopic cannulation of the left atrial appendix. A feasible rapid approach for initiating left heart bypass?
abstract: Rapid implementation of left ventricular assistance without thoracotomy for temporary support of patients with severe, life-threatening, acute cardiac power failure potentially expands applications of such support devices. A thoracoscopic technique for direct cannulation of the left atrium is described. In healthy closed-chest pigs, it proved a feasible method for effective volume unloading of the left ventricle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Research, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Gründeman
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Meijer
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Bannenberg
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tukkie
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Klopper
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria; D013552:Swine; D013906:Thoracoscopy; D014741:Video Recording