Evaluating the learning curve of residents using flowmetry and ultrasound during heart surgery

Cardiac Surgery Residents' Learning Curve of Intraoperative Transit-time Flowmetry and High-frequency Ultrasound in Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: the LEARNERS Study

Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS · NCT06589323

This study is trying to see how well heart surgery residents learn to use special tools to check the quality of grafts during heart surgery for patients getting bypass surgery.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment80 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorFondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS (other)
Locations1 site (Roma, RM)
Trial IDNCT06589323 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to assess the learning curve of cardiac surgery residents in using transit-time flowmetry (TTFM) and high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) for evaluating graft quality during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The study will enroll adult patients undergoing CABG and will collect data on their surgical procedures and intraoperative measurements. The primary goal is to understand the complexity involved in mastering these techniques, which are recommended but underused in practice. The study will last four months, including patient enrollment and data analysis.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18 and older who require surgical revascularization for coronary artery disease.

Not a fit: Patients who are not undergoing CABG surgery or do not have coronary artery disease may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance the training of cardiac surgery residents, leading to improved patient outcomes in CABG procedures.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of TTFM and HFUS is recommended, this study is novel in its focus on the learning curve of residents using these techniques.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age \>= 18 years old;
* Written informed consent;
* Indication to CABG surgery (both "on-pump" and "off-pump");
* Stable angina, unstable angina or acute coronary syndrome without ST elevation (NSTEMI).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Age \>= 18 years old;
* Written informed consent;
* Indication to CABG surgery (both "on-pump" and "off-pump");
* Stable angina, unstable angina or acute coronary syndrome without ST elevation (NSTEMI).

Where this trial is running

Roma, RM

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Coronary Artery Disease

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.