Abstract: This method and device permits removal of venous blood from either atrium to a heart lung machine and thereafter returns it (after oxygenation and filtration if needed) to the femoral artery, all in a percutaneous mode. The device includes in combination a guide wire, catheter, transseptal needle, blunt internal obturator approximately the same length as the catheter with a circular barb to secure the catheter in a given longitudinal relationship, an external obturator about the same length as the internal obturator and removably attached thereto, a cannula for passage over the combined obturators and catheter and connectors to attach the cannula to an extracorporeal pump (and oxygenator if needed), which in turn can be connected to the arterial side of a patient's vascular system.

Abstract: A tripolar catheter apparatus employing an automatic electronic switch is adapted for use with a conventional bipolar demand cardiac pacer for converting a bipolar pacing system into a tripolar pacing system in which stimulation can be applied between two intra-ventricular electrodes, such as ones located in the right ventricular apex, while sensing of ventricular depolarization may be obtained by an intra-ventricular apical electrode and an extra-ventricular electrode located outside the ventricle, such as in the right atrium or vena cava. The tripolar catheter apparatus comprises a pair of catheter terminals connected to the output terminals of the bipolar demand cardiac pacer and three output electrodes, namely a proximal electrode, a medial electrode and a distal electrode, which are provided to the heart.