Pericardiotomy in Cardiac Surgery

The surgeon will perform a left posterior pericardiotomy while the patient is on cardiopulmonary bypass. A soft channel drain will be put into place at an angle directed toward the posterior pericardium. The surgeon will grasp the pericardium and use cautery to make a 4- to 5-cm opening between the left inferior pulmonary vein and the diaphragm. The previously prepared channel drain is cut to the desired length and placed through the pericardiotomy along the diaphragm and into the pleural space.