Well, it only took us seven years to figure this one out.  The wire assistant has been the key advancement of 2018 for placement of ECMO cannulas.  In this episode, Zack and Joe talk through this process after an  interview with Alyssa Baldini.  Alyssa was one of our first true wire assistants and has been instrumental in getting cannulas in faster and safer.  We discuss how the wire assistant aids in sterility and getting the artery on the first stick.  Bottom line - train someone at your shop to be an expert wire assistant.