Graft Failure and Consequences of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Vein Graft Failure and Cardiovascular Consequences of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery
IRAS ID
345973
Contact name
David Newby
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 5 months, 18 days
Research summary
Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is the commonest type of heart operation performed. During this, arteries or veins (termed ‘grafts’) are used to supply blood around blockages within the blood vessels that supply the heart. Unfortunately, these grafts can sometimes fail, and patients can also experience complications like heart attacks and strokes, after surgery. We know that vein grafts are more likely to narrow over time. Additionally, treating vein graft failure is very challenging, as repeat surgery is riskier and procedures to stent open the veins can also fail. However, we do not fully understand why these complications occur.
In this study, we will use an exciting new imaging technique called a total-body Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan. This uses special radioactive dyes (radiotracers) to look at what is happening inside vein grafts. With this technique, we will also be able to see what is happening to the heart, brain and wider parts of the body after CABG surgery.
We will aim to recruit 70 participants in total (maximum 150). 40 (maximum of 120) of these participants will have recently undergone CABG surgery and received ≥1 vein graft. The remaining 30 will have undergone CABG surgery ≥5 years ago and will have symptoms suggestive of vein graft failure.
The study will last a total of 36 months and will involve participants undertaking the following assessments:
1. Total-body Positron Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography (PET-CT) scan
2. Ultrasound scan of the heart (echocardiogram)
3. A blood test – up to four tablespoons (60 mL) of blood will be taken for immediate testing and the remainder will be stored for future ethically approved studies.We hope that our research will allow us to better understand vein graft failure and the other complications of CABG surgery; a critical step in helping to develop treatments for vein graft disease.
REC name
East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 2
REC reference
24/ES/0090
Date of REC Opinion
10 Jan 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion