Secondary revascularization after coronary surgery.

: World population is aging day after day and coronary atherosclerosis disease is becoming a worldwide pandemic disease. Whereas the number of patients with surgical or percutaneous coronary revascularization is increasing, a new revascularization procedure in a previously revascularized patient is a situation that is already being common in cath labs all over the world. Such patients present some special considerations, with a higher risk and worse prognosis than the usual patients and they require to take specific attitudes regarding prognosis, treatment and revascularization technique. At present, much has been achieved in this field, with new devices developed and many randomized clinical trials, but there is still sparse knowledge about this subject and some confusing points. The following article will discuss about the present-day knowledge of secondary coronary revascularization in patients previously operated, focusing in its indications and which are the technical considerations to keep in mind. Special attention will be paid to the percutaneous revascularization of saphenous vein grafts, the most complex and specific situation that we can find in such patients due to its special histopathology and behavior. Moreover, a mention will be made of the new advances that have been made in recent years, about all kind of devices, coronary stents, pharmacological treatment and new emerging revascularization strategies.