A distal perfusion sheath (DPS) is provided for cases where blood perfusion is needed for downstream arteries (distal) to the insertion point of the DPS within the target artery. The ability to provide distal perfusion with the DPS allows the DPS to be positioned in the target artery for long periods without causing lack of blood flow (ischemia) to an extremity that the target artery supplies. In certain embodiments, the DPS can still be used for surgical arterial access while allowing blood flow downstream. In addition, embodiments of the DPS configured with longer perfusion shunts can allow a contra-lateral extremity downstream to a large DPS to have blood flow while the sheath is in place.
