The disclosure provides a method of placing a cardiac drainage cannula into a patient's heart. In some embodiments, the method comprises the steps of (a) inserting the cannula percutaneously into an internal jugular vein, (b) advancing the cannula through the internal jugular vein and into the right atrium of the heart, and (c) advancing the cannula through the atrial septum into the left atrium of the heart. Further aspects of the disclosure provide a method of draining blood from the left atrium or left ventricle of a patient's heart using a cardiac drainage cannula. The disclosure also provides a cardiac drainage cannula and a mechanical circulatory support system.