Clinical Research Directory

Hyperpolarized 13C Pyruvate-MRI and FDG-PET in a Single Exam for the Prognosis of Ischemic Cardiomyopathy

This prospective, non-blinded, single-center, translational research study aims to validate a multimodal advanced imaging exam for cardiac viability. The protocol utilizes three distinct imaging modalities: Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (SPECT MPI), 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), and Hyperpolarized Carbon-13 (HP-13C) Pyruvate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Under this protocol, the SPECT MPI and FDG-PET exams will be used in combination to comprehensively assess myocardial viability. Concurrently, the HP-13C Pyruvate MRI will be utilized to provide additional insights into myocardial metabolism. The study will evaluate healthy volunteers to establish baseline parameters and patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) before and after surgical revascularization.

Effects of Emotional Freedom Techniques on Pain, Cardiac Anxiety, and Sleep Quality in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Objective: To determine the effect of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) on pain, cardiac anxiety and sleep quality in patients undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery. Materials and Methods: The study will be conducted between 2025 and 2026 as a pretest-posttest, parallel design (1:1) randomized controlled trial. The study population will consist of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) at the Kütahya City Hospital Cardiovascular Surgery Department. The sample size was determined to be 66 patients, with 33 patients each in the experimental and control groups. Measurement tools include a Personal Information Form, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Cardiac Anxiety Scale, and Richard Campbell Sleep Scale. Data will be collected through one-on-one patient interviews. The researcher has successfully completed a 3.5-hour EFT training program at the Boğaziçi Education Institute. EFT will be administered to the patients by the researcher. Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery at the Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic who volunteer to participate in the study and meet the inclusion criteria will complete the Informed Consent Form, Personal Information Form, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Cardiac Anxiety Scale, and Richard-Campbell Sleep Scale. Patients will then be assigned to the experimental or control groups by a person other than the researcher based on the randomization list. Patients in the experimental group will receive EFT in addition to standard cardiovascular surgery clinic procedures, while patients in the control group will receive standard cardiovascular surgery clinic procedures. Data analysis will be conducted using SPSS. The study will be conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Findings: The findings of the research will be written after the data to be obtained after the implementation of the research and data collection will be analyzed in the SPSS program. Conclusion: The results of the research will be written by determining the findings after analyzing the data to be obtained after the implementation of the research and data collection in the SPSS program.

Aortic No-Touch vs Partial Aortic Clamping in Off-Pump CABG

To explore surgical strategies that reduce perioperative neurologic complications in cardiovascular surgery, with the aim of improving perioperative outcomes and quality of life while reducing the socioeconomic burden. Specifically: This multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial will evaluate the benefits of a novel aortic no-touch technique in reducing perioperative silent brain infarction(SBI) among patients undergoing surgical treatment for coronary artery disease. The findings are expected to provide a safe and effective myocardial revascularization strategy for individuals at high risk of cerebral ischemia.

Multisensory and Cognitive Interventions in the ICU: Effects on Health and Recovery

The goal of this clinical trial is to examine the effects of sensory and cognitive stimulation on physiological, psychological, and functional recovery in adult patients after cardiac surgery who are treated in the intensive care unit (ICU). The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does sensory and/or cognitive stimulation reduce anxiety and improve hemodynamic stability in ICU patients? * Does it enhance physical function and independence during early rehabilitation in the ICU? Researchers will compare four groups: 1. Standard care (control), 2. Cognitive stimulation, 3. Auditory stimulation (music), 4. Multisensory stimulation (touch + smell) to assess which intervention is most effective in improving recovery parameters. Participants will: * Be randomly assigned to one of four groups during early mobilization in the ICU * Receive a 30-minute intervention session depending on group assignment * Be evaluated for heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, anxiety (VAS), physical function (PFIT, FIM), and satisfaction before and after the session

Effects of a Recovery-Promoting Program in Patients Undergoing CABG Surgery

Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery often experience physical limitations, psychological stress, and challenges during recovery after hospital discharge. Inadequate preparation and limited follow-up support may affect patients' confidence in self-care and overall recovery. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of a recovery-promoting program on self-efficacy, quality of recovery, and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing CABG surgery. Participants will receive standard postoperative care. In addition, participants in the intervention group will receive a recovery-promoting program provided by nurses, which includes structured education, guidance on postoperative activity and symptom management, and follow-up support after discharge. The study will assess changes in self-efficacy, quality of recovery, and selected clinical outcomes to compare recovery between participants who receive the recovery-promoting program and those who receive standard care.

Incentive Spirometry Versus Inspiratory Muscle Training After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

This study will be conducted to compare between incentive spirometry verses inspiratory muscle training preoperatively on (ABG) after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Is there any significant difference of preoperative incentive spirometry verses inspiratory muscle training on Arterial blood gases (ABG) after coronary artery bypass graft surgery? Participants will: Group A (incentive spirometry group ) Group B (Inspiratory muscle trainer group ) for 5 days before operative Group C (control group) and group a , b will have routinely postoperative

Saudi CABG Audit and Registry

The Saudi CABG Audit and Registry (SCAR) is a prospective, multicenter national clinical quality registry designed to systematically collect perioperative and long-term outcome data for all patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in Saudi Arabia. The registry will begin with a pilot phase in selected tertiary cardiac centers and will progressively expand to national coverage. SCAR captures detailed information on patient demographics, cardiac status, operative techniques, postoperative outcomes, and 1-year follow-up, including patient-reported quality-of-life measures (EQ-5D and SF-36). The aim is to establish a standardized national platform for benchmarking, quality improvement, and real-world evidence generation to support clinical decision-making and health policy development in cardiac surgery. Data are collected prospectively through secure electronic systems, anonymized before central storage, and analyzed using standardized definitions aligned with international registries such as STS and E-CABG.

Comparison of Erector Spinae Plane Block and Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block in Postoperative Pain Management After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) is a common surgical procedure for ischemic heart disease, but it often leads to severe acute and chronic postoperative pain, which can delay recovery and reduce patient comfort. Effective pain management is crucial to prevent pulmonary complications and long hospital stays. Peripheral nerve blocks are increasingly used to reduce opioid consumption and improve patient satisfaction after major surgery. This prospective, observational study aims to compare the effectiveness and safety of two different regional anesthesia techniques, the Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESPB) and the Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block (SPSIPB), in managing postoperative pain in patients undergoing CABG via median sternotomy. Patients aged 18-80 years, classified as ASA II-III, who are scheduled for elective CABG will be included. The choice of block technique (ESPB or SPSIPB) will be determined by the operating anesthesiologist based on the visibility of anatomical structures (transverse processes) under ultrasound guidance. All patients will receive the same general anesthesia and be managed postoperatively with Intravenous Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA). The main goal is to determine which block provides optimal pain control, measured by the time to first rescue analgesia and pain scores (NRS) at various time points after extubation. Secondary outcomes include intraoperative opioid consumption, total PCA usage, extubation time, and the incidence of opioid-related side effects. The findings will help optimize pain protocols for cardiac surgery patients.

Effect of Cardiovascular Autonomic Neuropathy on AKI and Outcomes in Isolated CABG Surgery

This study aims to investigate the effects of Cardiovascular Autonomic Neuropathy (CAN) on Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery requiring extracorporeal circulation(ECC). Preoperative data including demographics, comorbidities, kidney function tests, hemodynamic parameters, and baseline regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) will be recorded. Intraoperative data will include hemodynamics, urine output, blood gases, cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp times, cardioplegia details, number of coronary anastomoses, and rSO2 changes at defined time points. Postoperatively, kidney function, neurological status, mechanical ventilation duration, inotropic drug use, transfusion requirements, complications, ICU and hospital length of stay, and mortality will be evaluated. Acute Kidney Injury will be classified according to KDIGO criteria. The primary objective is to analyze the effect of CAN on AKI. Secondary objectives include assessing the impact of CAN on other clinical outcomes and exploring the relationship between CAN and intraoperative cerebral oxygen changes. This study has been approved by the Acıbadem University and Acıbadem Healthcare Institutions Medical Research Ethics Committee (ATADEK) and will be conducted following ethical principles and good clinical practice.

Investigation of the Effect of Prehabilitation Practice on Patient Outcomes in Frail Patients Planned for Elective Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

The basic concept of prehabilitation is to increase the functional capacity of the individual to withstand an expected injury. It embodies the idea of being proactive against the common reactive approach of rehabilitation. While the initial prehabilitation model was limited to physical training, it has now evolved into a multimodal entity that includes nutritional optimisation, psychosocial preparation and smoking cessation in addition to exercise programmes. In the last decade, there has been an increasing effort to coincide prehabilitation with surgery, as surgery is rightly perceived as a stressor for human structural and physiological functions.

Investigation of the Effects of Respiratory Muscle Training Combined With Otago Exercises in Elderly Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

A review of the literature suggests that high-intensity intermittent inspiratory muscle training (IMT) combined with the Otago exercise program may provide positive effects on early post-discharge recovery of patients aged 65 years and older undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. No studies have yet examined the effects of high-intensity intermittent IMT combined with the Otago exercise program on patients undergoing CABG surgery. This study is the first to evaluate the effects of high-intensity intermittent IMT combined with the Otago exercise program on pulmonary function, functional capacity, muscle strength, functional mobility, balance, anxiety and depression levels, frailty, and quality of life in elderly patients undergoing CABG surgery.