Cannulation strategies of the aorta for coronary surgery

Coronary artery bypass grafting is one of the most commonly performed surgeries in the United States and worldwide. It can be performed with or without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (referred to as on-pump or off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, respectively). For most patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, the on-pump approach remains the default option. This chapter describes the technique of aortic cannulation in patients undergoing on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.