Oxygenated shunting from right to left: a feasibility study of minimized atrio-atrial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for mid-term lung assistance in an acute ovine model.

Objectives: Right ventricular failure is often the final phase in acute and chronic respiratory failure. We combined right ventricular unloading with extracorporeal oxygenation in a new atrio-atrial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

Methods: Eleven sheep (65 kg) were cannulated by a 28-Fr inflow cannula to the right atrium and a 25-Fr outflow cannula through the lateral left atrial wall.

Video-assisted pericardioscopic surgery: refinement of a new technique for implanting epimyocardial pacemaker leads.

Objective: Current alternative approaches for pacemaker lead implantation imply the breach of the pleural space. Recently, the feasibility of experimental lead implantation by rigid endoscopy has been described. The use of flexible endoscopes and a standardised application has not been realised yet.