A groundbreaking clinical trial from China, published today in The BMJ, reveals that the “no-touch” technique for harvesting veins during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) considerably reduces the risk of graft failure over a three-year period compared to the conventional harvesting method. This revelation carries significant promise for improving the longevity and success of CABG surgeries, which remain a critical intervention for patients with advanced coronary artery disease. By preserving the surrounding tissue during vein extraction, the no-touch method minimizes damage and fosters better graft durability, potentially reshaping future cardiac surgical practices worldwide.
Coronary artery bypass grafting is a lifesaving procedure designed to restore adequate blood supply to heart muscles compromised by atherosclerotic blockages. Traditionally, the saphenous vein from the leg is harvested and grafted onto coronary arteries downstream of occlusions to reroute blood flow. However, the conventional harvesting process involves stripping the vein of its surrounding connective tissue, a step now proven to contribute to higher rates of graft occlusion—where the graft becomes narrowed or blocked, jeopardizing the bypass’s effectiveness.
The no-touch harvesting technique represents a paradigm shift. Rather than isolating the vein alone, this method removes the vein encased in a protective cushion of surrounding perivascular tissue. This approach reduces mechanical trauma and preserves the vascular endothelial function vital for keeping the graft patent. Data from the initial PATENCY trial already demonstrated significantly improved graft patency rates at 3 and 12 months post-surgery. Yet, the lingering question concerned the durability of these benefits over the longer term.
To address this crucial gap, Chinese researchers conducted a meticulously designed multicenter randomized controlled trial involving 2,655 patients undergoing CABG. Participants were randomly assigned to either the no-touch or conventional vein harvesting groups and followed for three years. This robust sample included both genders and a range of ages, providing a realistic overview of clinical outcomes across diverse patient demographics. The study’s methodological rigor lends strong credibility to its findings, which have far-reaching implications for cardiac surgery worldwide.
At the three-year mark, the results were compelling. Patients treated with the no-touch technique exhibited a vein graft occlusion rate of just 5.7%, compared with 9% in the conventional group. This marked reduction in occlusion underscores the mechanistic advantages of the no-touch approach, including preservation of vein elasticity, reduced endothelial injury, and minimized inflammatory response. By maintaining vein integrity, the no-touch method directly addresses one of the most critical failure modes in CABG surgery.
But the benefits were not limited to graft patency alone. Clinical endpoints related to heart health also favored the no-touch group. The incidence of non-fatal myocardial infarctions was less than half that seen in patients with conventional vein harvesting (1.2% vs. 2.7%). Similarly, rates of repeat revascularisation—a procedure performed to restore blood flow when initial grafts fail—were significantly lower (1.1% compared to 2.2%). These outcomes translate into fewer heart attacks, reduced need for additional procedures, and ultimately better long-term survival and quality of life for patients.
Recurrent angina and cardiac-related hospital readmissions also decreased in the no-touch cohort. Specifically, recurrent angina was reported in 6.2% of no-touch patients versus 8.4% among those with conventional harvesting, while cardiac-related readmissions occurred in 7.1% vs. 10.2%, respectively. These reductions indicate enhanced graft function and fewer complications, which not only benefit patient welfare but also reduce healthcare costs and burdens on medical infrastructure.
Interestingly, the study found no statistically significant differences between groups in all-cause mortality and the composite measure of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events. This suggests that while the no-touch technique markedly improves graft patency and related morbidity, the ultimate impact on death rates requires further long-term investigation, perhaps beyond the three-year follow-up window of this study. Continued monitoring may clarify these trends and affirm the extended benefits of this surgical innovation.
Researchers acknowledge several limitations intrinsic to the trial. The cohort was predominantly composed of relatively young Chinese patients, which may limit applicability to older populations or different ethnic groups. Additionally, while the trial’s design minimized bias, some findings could reflect random variation rather than definitive biological effects. Nonetheless, secondary analyses supported the robustness of the results, and no substantial confounding factors were identified that would undermine the core conclusions.
From a mechanistic perspective, the preservation of the perivascular tissue appears crucial. The surrounding connective tissue provides mechanical support and contains vasa vasorum—small blood vessels that nourish the vein wall. By maintaining this structure intact, the no-touch technique guards against vein spasm and endothelial denudation, processes known to accelerate graft failure. This protective “cushion” acts almost like a natural graft dressing, fostering better biological integration and endothelial healing.
The implications of these findings extend beyond the clinical trial itself. Cardiac surgeons and guideline committees worldwide may need to reconsider current harvesting protocols in favor of the no-touch method. Given the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of adapting to this technique—primarily involving modified surgical tools and training—its widespread adoption could meaningfully improve CABG outcomes globally. Such a shift promises to reduce repeat surgeries, lower healthcare expenditures, and enhance patient quality of life.
Notably, Hui Jiang, professor of cardiac surgery at Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, underscores this point in an accompanying editorial. Despite acknowledging trial limitations and the need for further monitoring, he hails the no-touch technique as a critical advance that could reshape surgical strategies and guideline formulations. This endorsement from a leading cardiac expert adds weight to the growing momentum behind this novel approach.
In conclusion, the three-year follow-up of the PATENCY trial delivers robust evidence affirming that the no-touch vein harvesting technique significantly reduces vein graft occlusion and associated cardiac complications after CABG surgery. By preserving the vein’s surrounding tissue, this method not only protects graft integrity but translates into tangible clinical benefits, lowering the risk of heart attacks, repeat interventions, and hospitalizations. As CABG remains a cornerstone treatment for coronary artery disease, these findings may herald a new standard of care, improving outcomes for millions of patients worldwide.
The study’s detailed results and supporting analyses, now available in The BMJ, will undoubtedly stimulate further research and debate, encouraging cardiac surgical teams to evaluate and potentially adopt the no-touch harvesting technique. Continued follow-up beyond three years will be essential to elucidate long-term survival impacts and consolidate these promising findings. For now, this veterinary trial marks a significant step forward in cardiovascular surgery, offering renewed hope for enhanced graft durability and better lives for heart disease patients.
Subject of Research: People
Article Title: No-touch versus conventional vein in coronary artery bypass grafting: three year follow-up of multicentre randomised PATENCY trial
News Publication Date: 30-Apr-2025
Web References: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2024-082883
Keywords: Surgical procedures, Coronary artery bypass grafting, No-touch vein harvesting, Vein graft occlusion, Cardiac surgery, Randomized controlled trial
Tags: advanced coronary artery disease treatmentatherosclerosis intervention techniquesCABG surgical practicescardiac surgery innovationsclinical trial results for heart surgerycoronary artery bypass grafting outcomesgraft durability improvementgraft failure reduction techniquesminimally invasive cardiac proceduresno-touch vein harvestingperivascular tissue preservationsaphenous vein harvesting methods
