EPICARDIAL HEARTWIRE, CHEST TUBE WITH EPICARDIAL HEARTWIRE, AND METHOD OF USE

摘要

A heartwire (42) comprises a wire having a proximal end and a distal end, atleast part of the distal end being conductive so as to be usable in heartstimulation; and attached to said distal end, an end structure (28) adaptedfor noninvasively maintaining the distal end in position adjacent the heart.The end structure may comprise an irregular or three-dimensional, atraumaticstructure adapted for engaging a surgical material such as pledget secured tothe heart, for maintaining said heartwire in position. The end structure maycomprise at least one of a pigtail, a hook, a tine and a suture. Asecond wire(44) may be used for bipolar stimulation. The heartwire may be combined with achest tube (40), and may be removable therefrom while still maintaining itsposition relative to the heart.