Inguinal Cannulation for Establishing Extracorporeal Circulation in Adult Porcine Model

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Surgical Techniques
• Animal Models

Background:

• Adult porcine models are valuable for studying extracorporeal circulation due to similar size ratios.
• Standard sternotomy for cardiopulmonary bypass cannulation can lead to complications like aortic rupture, especially with anatomical challenges.
• There is a need for safer, alternative cannulation methods in large animal cardiovascular research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of inguinal vessel cannulation for establishing extracorporeal circulation in a porcine model.
• To compare inguinal cannulation with standard sternotomy in terms of experimental success and intraoperative complications.
• To assess the potential of inguinal access for minimally invasive cardiac surgery in large animal studies.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a heart-lung machine with a hollow fiber oxygenator (up to 3.5 L/min perfusion capacity).
• Performed inguinal cannulation via dissection of the femoral artery and vein in the right groin using the Seldinger technique.
• Employed specific cannulas: 14-16 Fr. Edwards Heartport and 22-Fr. SAP femoral cannula.

Main Results:

• Inguinal cannulation significantly reduced the number of aborted experiments in large animal trials.
• This approach provided better cardiac relief during dissection and minimized aortic trauma.
• Improved visibility within the thorax was noted, facilitating surgical procedures.

Conclusions:

• Inguinal cannulation is a safe and effective method for establishing extracorporeal circulation in large animal models.
• This technique minimizes trauma to the aorta and enhances thoracic surgical visibility.
• Inguinal access supports minimally invasive cardiac surgery and addresses ethical considerations in animal experimentation.