Saphenous vein graft failure: etiologic considerations and strategies for prevention.
Occlusion of saphenous vein coronary artery bypass grafts remains a significant clinical problem.  Early occlusion can be minimized by optimizing surgical techniques and by antithrombotic treatments. Unfortunately, no modification of surgical technique or drug therapy has been shown to reduce late vein graft occlusion.  This results from excessive proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and the superimposition of atheroma on the resulting thickened intima. Understanding the basic mechanisms underlying this response may be helpful in developing strategies to reduce vein graft occlusion.
University of Bristol, UK.
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GD
Angelini
D000818:Animals; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000637:transplantation*; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000379:methods