A single centre study comparing a continuous non-invasive lactate sensor measurement to standard invasive measurements of venous and arterial lactate in patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

A small patch worn on the upper arm could replace the need for frequent blood draws during heart surgery recovery. The study at Barts Hospital will test a continuous non-invasive lactate sensor against standard blood tests in patients undergoing planned coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Participants will wear the sensor for up to 14 hours while also having hourly blood samples taken, allowing researchers to compare how well the device tracks lactate levels without needles. Lactate levels are a key indicator of how well tissues are receiving oxygen, and current monitoring requires repeated blood draws from veins or arteries—uncomfortable for patients and resource-intensive for staff. If the sensor proves accurate, it could reduce the need for invasive blood tests during post-surgery recovery, making patients more comfortable. The technology could also be used in emergency rooms to quickly diagnose patients with chest pain, where rapid lactate readings help guide treatment decisions. Beyond immediate clinical use, data from the sensor will train computer algorithms to provide automated, real-time responses for managing patient conditions, potentially improving future medical monitoring systems.