1. Optimizing Mitral Valve Exposure With Conventional Left Atriotomy
James F. McCarthy, Delos M. Cosgrove 
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery 
Volume 65, Issue 4, Pages (April 1998)
DOI: /S (98)

2. 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  , DOI: ( /S (98) )

3. 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  , DOI: ( /S (98) )

4. Fig. 3
The self-retaining retractor allows consistent and excellent exposure of the mitral valve.
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery  , DOI: ( /S (98) )