Table 2. Methods of venting left heart.

Methods	Advantages	Disadvantages
Ascending aorta (cardioplegia cannula)	• Simple	• Works only when aorta is cross clamped
		• Does not work during administration of antegrade cardioplegia
Right superior pulmonary vein * (across LA and Mitral valve)	• Handles all sources of blood causing LV distension (including AR)	• RSPV may be difficult to expose especially in redo cases
		• Difficulty in threading cannula into correct position
Direct LV stab	• Simple	• Risk of damage to LV/coronaries
		• Bleeding
Pulmonary artery	• Simple	• Cannot handle AR

*, LA may also be directly cannulated. LA, left atrium; LV, left ventricle; RSPV, right superior pulmonary vein; AR, aortic regurgitation.