Minimally invasive heart bypass surgery without clamping the aorta

This trial is testing a newer, less-traumatic approach to bypass surgery called the 'no-touch technique.' Instead of opening your chest wide and clamping the aorta (your body's main artery), surgeons use a very small incision and avoid touching the aorta altogether. This approach may reduce injury, bleeding, and recovery time compared to traditional open-heart bypass surgery.

Standard bypass surgery works very well but requires splitting the breastbone wide open, which causes significant trauma and a long recovery. For patients with calcium buildup in the aorta, traditional surgery also carries extra risks of stroke or blood clots. This trial exists to see whether avoiding the aorta entirely with a smaller incision can be just as effective while being much gentler on the body.