Saphenous Vein Conduit in Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery — Patency Rates and Proposed Mechanisms for Failure

Coronary artery disease is the single leading cause of death in the United States. Every year more than 1 million open coronary revascularization procedures are performed in the United States. Most commonly the greater saphenous veins and internal mammary and/or radial arteries are used as bypass conduits. Long term patency and avoiding repeat revascularization is every surgeon’s goal following coronary artery bypass grafting. Unfortunately it is estimated that during the first year after surgery; between 10 15% of venous grafts occlude. The graft attrition rate is estimated to be 1 2 % per year during the first five years following surgery. By 10 years only 50 % of vein grafts remain free from significant stenosis [1].