Arterial cannulation of the innominate artery

Arterial cannulation of the innominate artery for cardiopulmonary bypass offers the advantage of central cannulation with standard cannulating techniques when the ascending and arch aorta are unavailable (eg, redo, aortic dissection, aneurysms). It avoids the difficulties associated with a second incision (axillary artery cannulation) and retrograde perfusion (femoral artery cannulation).