Skeletonised Versus Pedicled Internal Thoracic Artery

It is to date unknown whether Thunderbeat has a place in harvesting the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) and whether skeletonisation is superior to pedicle harvested LIMA. Though, some studies have shown improved flow-rates in the skeletonised graft while others shows compromised blood flow to the thoracic wall after pedicle harvested LIMA. The purpose of this study is to improve the quality of life for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) operations. The aim of this study is to compare three groups of LIMA harvesting techniques: Pedicled, surgical skeletonised and skeletonised with Thunderbeat to determine the best way to harvest LIMA during CABG operations. The study design is an experimental randomized controlled trial in a single centre. Study population: Adult patients enlisted for elective stand-alone CABG surgery at the Department of Cardiothoracic surgery, Odense University Hospital. Study Unit: Test-days within subject and subject The study will address two main hypotheses in CABG patients: 1. That both the surgical skeletonised and Thunderbeat skeletonised harvesting techniques of LIMA are superior to pedicled harvesting in regards to flowrates and pulsatility index (PI). 2. Skeletonized harvesting of LIMA graft compared to pedicled harvesting improves patient quality of life three days, 30 days, and six months postoperatively.