Aortic Cannulation

Aortic cannulation is a medical procedure used during heart surgery to access the aorta, the main artery carrying blood from the heart to the rest of the body. A surgeon inserts a tube (cannula) into the aorta to connect it to a heart-lung machine, which temporarily takes over the function of the heart and lungs. This allows the surgeon to operate on the heart in a bloodless, controlled environment. The procedure is carefully performed to ensure proper blood flow and to minimize risks, playing a crucial role in surgeries like coronary artery bypass and valve repairs.