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Table 1 Comparisons between rigid and flexible pericardial endoscopes

From: The effectiveness of rigid pericardial endoscopy for minimally invasive minor surgeries: cell transplantation, epicardial pacemaker lead implantation, and epicardial ablation

 

Rigid endoscope

Flexible endoscope

Device size

Smaller

Larger

Manipulation

Intuitive

Fluoroscopy dependent

View

Wider

Position dependent

Orientation

Easier

Fluoroscopy dependent

Lateral and Posterior approach

Easily performed by body position change

Difficult but performed with fluoroscopy

Apical approach

Risk of unintentional extraction

Easily controlled with fluoroscopy

Motional artifact

Fixed by forceps

Reduced by forceps

  1. Compared with flexible pericardial endoscopes, the smaller rigid pericardial endoscopes are more advantageous. These devices are more intuitively manipulated, offer a clearer and wider field of view, are easier to establish orientation, offer easier access to the posterior wall of the heart including the pulmonary veins, and are better at controlling motion artifacts. The use of less air in the pericardial space through stretching the pericardium with rigid endoscopes reduces the risk of complications.