Table 6. Checklist for deciding cannulation.

1. Understand the anatomy; e.g., L posed aorta/interrupted IVC, left SVC

2. Review CXR/angiogram/CT and MRI to assess the position of the heart relative to the posterior table of the sternum and the vessels available (can often be occluded) for cannulation. Get an idea of the size of vessel

3. Palpate the peripheral vessels and mark the site

IVC, inferior vena cava; SVC, superior vena cava.