MAQUET Cardiovascular, a subsidiary of the publicly listed Swedish Getinge Group, has initiated a new prospective trial to compare the endothelial function of saphenous vein grafts using the MAQUET VASOSHIELD Pressure Controlling Syringe with graft preparation methods using a standard syringe in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
The VASOSHIELD Pressure Controlling Syringe features three settings that allow the user to control the maximum pressure used during preparation, thereby protecting the conduit from inadvertent damage.
The study will enroll 30 patients undergoing elective CABG surgery who require at least two saphenous vein bypass grafts.
Obtained using endoscopic vessel harvesting (EVH) techniques, each graft will be randomly assigned to receive vessel distension by either the MAQUET VASOSHIELD device or a standard syringe.
The study endpoints include histological evaluation of vein grafts, assessment of endothelial function and measurement of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and endothelium-dependent relaxation and contraction.
Emory University Cardiothoracic Surgery Division associate professor principal investigator of the trial Vinod Thourani said they expect the study to demonstrate that a reduced level of endothelial dysfunction can be induced by using controlled pressure during vessel distension at 150 mm Hg with the use of the MAQUET VASOSHIELD Pressure Controlling Syringe, which regulates the pressure setting during distension.