Disclosed are devices for cardioscopic and pericardioscopic access to theheart, includingdirect access to the left atrium. In certain embodiments, the device maycomprise an atrialportal having a configuration such that the distal end of the atrial portalcan access the atriumwhile the proximal end of the portal can extend to outside of the subject. Thedevices andmethods may also include a pericardioscopic portal for emplacement of theatrial portal. Also,methods for using such atrial portals and pericardial portals to performsurgery on the heart,and in some cases to directly access the left atrium, and systems (e.g., kits)comprisingthese portals in combination with other therapeutic devices are disclosed.
