Transatrial left-ventricular cannulation in acute aortic dissection type A: a novel cannulation technique.

Despite improvements in surgical and perfusion techniques, surgery for acute aortic dissection type A (AADA) remains associated with high mortality rates. All cannulation techniques currently used to establish arterial flow are associated with a varying but considerable risk of organ malperfusion, neurological complications or additional access site trauma. We introduce Rahimi's transatrial cannulation of the left ventricle via the right upper pulmonary vein as an innovative alternative for antegrade, arterial return in AADA.