Incidence of Acute Cerebrovascular Events Using Either Minimized or Standard Cardiopulmonary Bypass Circuit

Inclusion Criteria: * Patient is older than 17 years * Patient is acceptable candidate for CABG operation * Patient or the patient's legal representative has been informed of the nature of the study and agrees to its provisions and has provided written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Ejection fraction less than 30 % * Valve surgery * Acute endocarditis or history of endocarditis * Cerebral ischemia within 4 weeks before surgery * Detection of intracardial thrombi in preoperative echocardiography * Stenosis of A. carotis int. greater than 70 % * Patients older than 80 years * Patients on dialysis * Acute myocardial ischemia or infarction within two weeks before inclusion * Markedly elevated baseline C-reactive protein (CRP) or leucocytosis * Cancer or immunologic diseases * Dysregulation of the coagulation cascade (not concerning INR or PTT under cumarin or heparin treatment) * Intake of steroids or NSAR * Female of childbearing potential * Participation in an other study * Contraindication for MRI (e.g. pacemaker, any kind of implanted metal) * Claustrophobia