- scheduled for open-chest cardiac surgery, Age < 60 years, BMI 20-35 kg/m2, no diagnosed peripheral artery disease, no history of cardiovascular events other than those indicating the actual surgery - 'as healthy as possible', meaning no previous cardiac surgery, no cerebral vascular events, no diagnosed peripheral artery disease. These patients mostly have a history of hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia, myocardial infarction or at least angina pectoris, as well as the associated medical therapy. Typical candidates: Coronary artery disease patients without other diagnosed vascular disease.