title: Optimizing mitral valve exposure with conventional left atriotomy.
abstract: The standard surgical approach to the mitral valve is accomplished through a longitudinal incision in the left atrium, posterior and parallel to the interatrial groove. Many other surgical approaches have evolved. This report describes a technique of optimizing mitral valve exposure via the standard approach. These modifications are simple, do not lengthen the procedure, and usually obviate the need for more complex maneuvers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio 44195, USA.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: McCarthy
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Cosgrove
mesh_terms: D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D010210:Papillary Muscles / Q000601:surgery; D010496:Pericardium / Q000601:surgery; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery; D015503:Surgical Sponges; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013908:Thoracotomy