title: Single venous return for mitral valve operations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  : Most cardiac surgeons routinely perform bicaval venous cannulation for mitral valve operations. We describe the technique and advantage of a single-venous cannulation strategy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  : Single venous cannulation with a 29-French small-bore cannula (facilitated by vacuum-assisted venous drainage) yields reliable decompression of the right heart and affords outstanding exposure of the mitral valve.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  : We recommend and use this technique for all mitral valve operations not requiring opening the right atrium.
authors.affiliation: From the *Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, MD; †North Shore Medical Center, Salem, MA.
authors.forename: James S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Gammie
authors.forename: Thomas J Vander
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Salm