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Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing permanent epicardial pacing comparable to permanent transvenous pacing in the acutely ill or debilitated patient under local anesthesia and for drainage of pericardial fluid and pericardial biopsy. The apparatus includes a cylindrical member with first and second open end portions, an inner and outer wall portion and a connecting slot between the inner and outer wall portions, a guard member provided at the first end portion of the cylindrical member adjacent to the slot and a maneuvering member connected to the outer wall portion at the second end portion of the cylindrical member. The epicardial pacing method includes the steps of making a keyhole incision below a xyphoid process of a body, introducing a pericardioscope into a retro-sternal space of the body, making a cruciate incision in the pericardial cavity of the heart, screwing myocardial electrodes into a right ventricle of the heart, removing the pericardioscope from the retro-sternal space; attaching electrodes subcutaneously into a pocket in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen, and attaching a pulse generator to the electrodes to thereby provide epicardial pacing. The method of drainage of pericardial fluid and pericardial biopsy includes the steps of making a keyhole incision below a xyphoid process of a body, introducing a pericardioscope into a retro-sternal space of the body and excising a disc of the pericardium so as to allow for drainage of the pericardial fluid, entrance of the pericardioscope into the pericardial cavity, inspection of the epicardial surface of the heart and evaluation of the pericardium itself.

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