Smaller incision, faster recovery? new trial tests heart bypass techniques

NCT ID NCT03447938

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study compares two types of heart bypass surgery for people with blocked arteries: a minimally invasive approach using small incisions between the ribs versus the traditional method that opens the breastbone. Researchers want to see if the less invasive surgery leads to better physical function and quality of life one month after the operation. About 176 patients are taking part, and they will be followed for a year.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (MICS CABG) procedure

What this could lead to

If successful, this could show that a less invasive heart bypass surgery leads to faster recovery and better quality of life than the standard open-chest approach.

What could go wrong

This is a relatively small trial (176 patients) and results may not apply to all patients. The minimally invasive procedure is technically demanding and may not be suitable for everyone.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

coronary artery disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Apollo Hospital, Bangalore

    Bangalore, Karnataka, 560041, India

  • Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Ottawa Heart Institute

    Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y 4W7, Canada

  • Far-Eastern Memorial Hospital

    Taipei, Taipei, 220, Taiwan

  • Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center

    La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54601, United States

  • Jilin Heart Hospital

    Jilin City, Jilin, 130117, China

  • Leipzig Heart Institute GmbH

    Leipzig, Saxony, Germany

  • Manipal Hospitals

    New Delhi, National Capital Territory of Delhi, India

  • National University Hospital (NUH) - Singapore

    Singapore, Singapore

  • Robert-Bosch-Hospital

    Stuttgart, Germany

  • Tokyo Bay Urayasu Ichikawa Medical Center

    Urayasu, Chiba, Japan

  • Universitaire Ziekenhuizen Leuven

    Leuven, Belgium

  • University Health Network

    Toronto, Ontario, Canada

  • University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, United States