An access sleeve (200) can be attached to a medical device having first and second ends, the first end being positioned inside of a patient and the second end being positioned external to a patient. The access sleeve includes a tubular sleeve body (210) having first (225) and second (235) open ends that define a first lumen (215) extending along a longitudinal axis (205) of the sleeve body. An opening (260) in the sleeve body connects the first lumen to an outer surface of the sleeve body. The access sleeve can be selectively attached to the medical device (e.g. catheter of a heart pump) and inserted into the access site when the medical device is positioned in the patient. The access sleeve can maintain vascular access to a patient's access site such as an arteriotomy and can be removed without disturbing the position of the medical device.
