Figure 2
Getting access to the heart. The orientation is the same in all pictures: the rostral direction is at the bottom and the caudal direction at the top of the picture. (a) Pre-operative situation after full draping of the swine. (b) Skin incision via blade and monopolar preparation of the subcutaneous tissues until the sternum was exposed. (c) Median sternotomy using an oscillating bone saw. (d) Full exposure of the heart from its base to the apex and bilateral access to both hemi-diaphragms. ♥ designates the heart.▲ designates the sternum. ● designate the pericardium. ⌂ designates the thymus.
