Clinical experience with the CorLink device for proximal anastomosis of the saphenous vein to the aorta: a clinical, prospective, and randomized study.

Background: Avoiding tangential clamping of the ascending aorta during coronary bypass operations reduces the trauma to the aorta and may avoid local particulate embolization.

Methods: From December 2000 to May 2001, 21 male patients, mean age 64.1 +/- 7.