Comparison of left fourth and fifth intercostal space thoracotomy for open-chest cardiopulmonary resuscitation in dogs.

Objective: To determine whether ease of access to thoracic structures for performing open-chest cardiopulmonary resuscitation (OC-CPR) differed between fourth and fifth intercostal space (ICS) left lateral thoracotomies in dogs, and to determine if "shingling" improved access for OC-CPR manipulations.

Design: Prospective single-blinded study.

Setting: Laboratory.