NIH

Physicians pioneer minimally invasive coronary artery bypass using VECTOR technique

January 12, 2026

A collaborative NIH and Emory team achieved the first minimally invasive coronary artery bypass using the ventriculo‑coronary transcatheter outward navigation and re‑entry (VECTOR) technique in a 67-year-old with complex anatomy and prior interventions. According to the case reprot published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions, the procedure repurposed standard catheters and wires via femoral access to create new openings in the aorta and coronary artery, bridged with a stent-supported graft. Six months post-procedure, the patient showed no obstruction, suggesting a promising less-traumatic alternative to open-heart surgery for select high-risk cases. Further trials are underway to assess broader applicability.

Source:

(2026, January 6). NIH. Researchers achieve the first minimally invasive coronary artery bypass. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/researchers-achieve-first-minimally-invasive-coronary-artery-bypass