Optimizing Mitral Valve Exposure With Conventional Left Atriotomy James F. McCarthy, Delos M. Cosgrove The Annals of Thoracic Surgery Volume 65, Issue 4, Pages 1161-1162 (April 1998) DOI: 10.1016/S0003-4975(98)00034-4
Fig. 1 The pericardium on the patient’s right side is elevated, thus rotating the heart and bringing the mitral valve into a plane that is closer to the surgeon. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery 1998 65, 1161-1162DOI: (10.1016/S0003-4975(98)00034-4)
Fig. 2 A tourniquet is placed around the inferior vena cava, which is retracted inferiorly. This further elevates the right side of the heart. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery 1998 65, 1161-1162DOI: (10.1016/S0003-4975(98)00034-4)
Fig. 3 The self-retaining retractor allows consistent and excellent exposure of the mitral valve. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery 1998 65, 1161-1162DOI: (10.1016/S0003-4975(98)00034-4)