title: Efficacy and feasibility of pericardial endoscopy by a subcutaneous approach.
abstract: We tested the efficacy and feasibility of percutaneous subxiphoid video pericardial endoscopy in five dogs. After percutaneous subxiphoid puncture, steerable 9F endoscope and 7F irrigated-tip catheters were advanced into the epicardial space. Epicardial vessels were visualized, and basal fat was distinguishable. Lesions created by the irrigated-tip catheter could be also appreciated on the epicardial surface. The endoscopic pericardial procedure was successful and may increase the efficacy and safety of epicardial irrigated radiofrequency catheter ablation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine,  Nihon University School of Medicine, 30-1 Oyaguchi-kamicho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610,  Japan.
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nagashima
authors.forename: Ichiro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Yasuo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Okumura
authors.forename: Kimie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ohkubo
authors.forename: Masayoshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kofune
authors.forename: Toshiyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ohya
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kasamaki
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hirayama
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods; D004285:Dogs; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000379:methods; D023421:Models, Animal; D010496:Pericardium / Q000601:surgery*; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome