title: Completely epicardial implantation of a cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator using a minimal invasive approach.
abstract: We report the case of a successful completely epicardial implantation of a cardiac resynchronization defibrillator using a minimal invasive approach in a 55-year-old patient with dilated cardiomyopathy and a history of three cardiac surgical procedures of the aortic root, the ascending aorta and the aortic arch. Due to a chronic Q fever the patient was regarded unsuitable for a transvenous implantation.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Cardiac and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Christoph Thomas
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Starck
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Cantonal Hospital Grisons, Chur, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Kurt
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mayer
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Cardiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hürlimann
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Cardiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Steffel
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Cardiac and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Volkmar
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Falk
mesh_terms: D058406:Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy; D058409:Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Devices; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010496:Pericardium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D011859:Radiography; D013908:Thoracotomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*