Objective: Echocardiography has never been used to evaluate venous cannula performance. Also, little progress has been made in venous cannula design. Therefore, we designed a self expandable Smartcanula® (SC) and analyzed its performance capability using echocardiography. Methods: Mean (Vm) and maximum (Vmax) velocities, pressure drop (ÄPCPB), flow and diameter were obtained from doppler imaging for the control (CC, n=6) and SC (n=7). LDH and Free Hb were also compared. Comparison was made between the two groups using the student's t-test with statistical significance established when p<0.05. Results: Age for the SC and CC groups was 61.6±17.6 years and 64.6±13.1 years respectively. Weight was 70.3±11.6kg and 72.8±14.4kg respectively. BSA was 1.80±0.2m2 and 1.82±0.2m2 respectively. CPB times were 114±53min and 108±44min respectively. Cross clamp time was 59±15min and 76±29min respectively (p=NS). Free-Hb was 568±142U/L vs 549±271U/L post CPB for the SC and CC respectively (p=NS). LDH was 335±73mg/L vs 354±116mg/L for the SC and CC respectively (p=NS). Vm was 89±10cm/s (SC) vs 63±3cm/s (CC), Vmax was 139±23cm/s (SC) vs 93±11cm/s (CC)(all p<0.01). ÄPCPB was 30±10mmHg (SC) vs 43±13mmHg (CC)(p<0.05). Conclusions: The Smartcanula provides superior flow characteristics compared to the CC. No detrimental effects were observed concerning blood damage. Echocardiography was effective in analyzing venous cannula performance.