title: Tentacles: a novel device for exposing the heart for the insertion of left apical assist device cannulae.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The implantation of ventricular assist devices is a well-established procedure for the treatment of imminent heart failure. The exact positioning of the left ventricular apical inflow cannula is crucial, because inflow restrictions might occur when the cannula is placed too close to the interventricular septum or a papillary muscle. We report a novel technique using the Tentacles 3-point fixation device for the exposure of the left ventricular apex during ventricular fibrillation under cardiopulmonary bypass.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used the Tentacles, a device originally designed for positioning the heart during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, for implantation of a biventricular Berlin Heart Excor in a 64-year-old man. The procedure was successful and echocardiographic examinations documented the exact placement of the left ventricular cannula.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our new technique ensures a very precise insertion of apical cannulae, because the left ventricular shape and filling are not impaired.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Grosshadern University Hospital, Munich, Germany. Daniel.Schmauss@med.uni-muenchen.de
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schmauss
authors.forename: Ingo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kaczmarek
authors.forename: Andrés
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beiras-Fernandez
authors.forename: Amir Khosrow
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Bigdeli
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eifert
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Christ
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Reichart
authors.forename: Calin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vicol
mesh_terms: D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000601:surgery*; D013504:Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D002404:Catheterization; D004867:Equipment Design; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome