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Aortic No-Touch vs Partial Aortic Clamping in Off-Pump CABG

Surgical Techniques to Prevent Perioperative Neurologic Complications in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07302659
Acronym
PROTECT-CABG
Enrollment
380
Registered
2025-12-24
Start date
2026-03-10
Completion date
2028-06-30
Last updated
2026-04-14

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)

Keywords

coronary artery bypass graft, Silent Brain Infarction

Brief summary

To explore surgical strategies that reduce perioperative neurologic complications in cardiovascular surgery, with the aim of improving perioperative outcomes and quality of life while reducing the socioeconomic burden. Specifically: This multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial will evaluate the benefits of a novel aortic no-touch technique in reducing perioperative silent brain infarction(SBI) among patients undergoing surgical treatment for coronary artery disease. The findings are expected to provide a safe and effective myocardial revascularization strategy for individuals at high risk of cerebral ischemia.

Interventions

PROCEDUREAortic no-touch coronary artery bypass grafting (RIMA-SVG)

Ascending aortic no-touch CABG with saphenous vein graft (SVG) anastomosed to the right internal mammary artery (RIMA)

PROCEDUREConventional off-pump CABG with partial clamping of the ascending aorta (Ao-SVG)

Off-pump CABG with proximal saphenous vein graft (SVG) anastomoses constructed on the ascending aorta using a partial-occlusion (side-biting) clamp.

Sponsors

China National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases
Lead SponsorOTHER_GOV

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Adult patients (\>18 years old) with multivessel coronary artery disease who are scheduled to undergo isolated off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting and who provide informed consent to participate in this study.

Exclusion criteria

* Indications for cardiopulmonary bypass surgery (or no contraindications to on-pump surgery); * Great saphenous vein is unsuitable for use as a graft conduit; * Subclavian artery stenosis or occlusion, or any contraindication to the use of the internal mammary artery as a graft conduit; * History of previous cardiac surgery; * Emergency surgery; * Inability to apply an aortic clamp due to severe ascending aortic calcification; * Expected inability to tolerate MRI or contraindications to MRI (e.g., known intolerance to MRI, an implanted permanent pacemaker, or an anticipated need for permanent pacemaker implantation); * Inability to complete neurocognitive assessment due to language barriers or visual/hearing impairment.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Saphenous vein graft (SVG) occlusion rate1 year after surgeryAssessed by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA)
New-onset clinical stroke and silent brain infarction (SBI)7 ± 3 days after surgeryClinical stroke and SBI assessed at 7 ± 3 days postoperatively; SBI assessed by brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Incidence of postoperative deliriumwithin 5 postoperative daysThe incidence of delirium evaluated by CAM/CAM-ICU
Incidence of perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND)within 7 days after surgeryCognitive function will be assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA; range 0-30 points, higher scores indicate better cognitive function).
Perioperative major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE)within 30 postoperative daysMajor adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events are defined as the composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stroke and repeat revascularization.
MACCE within 3 months after surgeryUp to 3 months after surgery (3-month follow-up)Major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events are defined as the composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stroke and repeat revascularization.
Clinical stroke within 3 months after surgeryUp to 3 months after surgery (3-month follow-up)
Sternal complications within 3 months after surgeryUp to 3 months after surgery (3-month follow-up)
Cognitive dysfunction at 3 months after surgery3 months after surgeryCognitive function will be assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA; range 0-30 points, higher scores indicate better cognitive function).
Angina within 12 months after surgery12 months after surgeryPatients will complete the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) at baseline pre-procedure and again at 12 months post CABG
Cognitive dysfunction at 12 months after surgery12 months after surgeryCognitive function will be assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA; range 0-30 points, higher scores indicate better cognitive function).
Sternal complications within 12 months after surgeryUp to 12 months after surgery (12-month follow-up)
Clinical stroke within 12 months after surgeryUp to 12 months after surgery (12-month follow-up)
MACCE within 12 months after surgeryUp to 12 months after surgery (12-month follow-up)Major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events are defined as the composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stroke and repeat revascularization.

Countries

China

Contacts

CONTACTLianxin Chen
chenlianx1@163.com01088322265

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Apr 15, 2026