Use of a new device in cannulation of the great vessels: cannula introducer

To improve the existing complications of the arterial cannulation technique, an introducer was developed that could minimize the trauma to the vessel wall and intima, simplify the operation and avoid the usual complications such as air or emboli strokes, misdirection and malrotation of the cannula tip within the artery. The Introducer consists of an extendable blade proportionate to the size of the cannula to be inserted. The movement of the blade is accomplished by a trigger in the handle of the device. The cannula is also released by another trigger in the handle. Ninety heart patients in whom this device was used underwent open heart surgery, and there were no single case of a major stroke, air or thrombo-embolism, or undue blood loss. One patient developed a transient right hand paresis that subsided after removal of the arterial line. The results were compared to 65 patients with the current method of cannulation and in whom this device was not used. In this latter group there were five cases of major neurological deficits, one aortic dissection, one case of embolism to the leg and four cases of abnormal bleeding which necessitated takebacks in the first 24 hours of post-operative period.