There is a growing perception of using axillary artery cannulation to improve operative outcomes in cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Two techniques, direct cannulation or side-graft cannulation, can be used for axillary artery cannulation, but which technique is better is controversial.
A meta-analysis of comparative studies reporting operative outcomes using direct cannulation vs. side-graft cannulation was performed. We searched the PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. Outcomes of interest were neurological dysfunction, cannulation-related complications and early mortality. The fixed effects model was used.
A total of 1,543 patients were included in the final analysis. Direct cannulation was used in 846 patients, and side-graft cannulation was used in 697 patients. Meta-analysis showed a higher occurrence of neurological Complication in direct cannulation group [odds ratio, 1.45, 95% CI (1.00, 2.10), χ2 = 4.40,
This study suggests that side-graft axillary artery cannulation is a better strategy as it reduces the incidence of neurological dysfunction and cannulation-related complications.