The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 38, 644-645, Copyright © 1984 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
A safe approach to left ventriculotomy
JG Hunter, GJ Whitman and AH Harken
Left ventriculotomy through an anatomically normal left ventricle is an
increasingly frequent clinical necessity. In this regard, it is important
to envision the epicardial projection of the papillary muscle in order to
avoid injuring it. One should open the ventricle from the base (parallel to
the left anterior descending or posterior descending coronary artery) and
extend the incision apically while continuously palpating the papillary
muscle.